Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Southwest Georgia saw a decrease in the unemployment rate over the month as the number of employed rose over 1,200 in July.    

"We are seeing positive labor market data across the state,” said Commissioner Butler. “The unemployment rate is down in every region, county, and metropolitan statistical area reflecting the strength of our state’s economy. Career opportunities remain high for job seekers as we continue to see rising jobs numbers in metro and rural areas throughout Georgia.”

In Southwest Georgia, the unemployment rate was down one and six-tenths percentage points to 3.6 percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 7.3 percent.

The labor force decreased in Southwest Georgia by 1,161 and ended the month with 145,788. That number is up 2,171 when compared to July of 2020.

Southwest Georgia finished the month with 140,579 employed residents.  That number increased by 1,224 over the month and is up by 7,515 when compared to the same time a year ago.

The number of unemployment claims went down by 48 percent in Southwest Georgia in July. When compared to last July, claims were down by about 87 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 1,806 active job postings in Southwest Georgia for July.

Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia, and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.

TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT  https://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-graphs