The unemployment rate in Northeast Georgia fell in September from 4.6 percent to 4 percent.
The number decreased thanks to an increase in employed residents and a decline in unemployment claims during the month, according to numbers released Thursday by Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
“The combination of a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of employed residents shows a region on the rise,” Butler said. “Seeing the number of jobs increase is always a good indicator. However, seeing the number of employed Georgians increase is the ultimate positive result.”
In September 2016, the rate was 5.7 percent.
Unemployment claims were down by 23.1 percent to 1,027. That's compared to September 2016 when the numbers were down 47.9 percent from 1,971.
In the metro Gainesville are, about 500 jobs in trade, transportation and warehousing were lost but Butler said that didn't have a hard-hitting impact long-term job outlook. The city gained 1,800 jobs and grew at a 2.1 percent rate over the past year.
At the same time, the unemployment rate fell, unemployment insurance rates declined and there was an increase in residents finding work in metro Gainesville.
“When you look at the full picture and take the numbers in context, the metro Gainesville economy continues to do well,” Butler said. “Seeing the number of jobs increase is always a good indicator. However, seeing the number of employed Georgians increase is the ultimate positive result.”
In September, the unemployment rate was 3.5 percent and employment among residents increased by 886. For the year, the number of employed residents grew by 3,878 to 92,632. The September unemployment rate was down from 4 percent in August. The September rate compares favorably to last September when the rate was 4.6 percent.
Unemployment claims were also down by 30.3 percent to 322 and Butler said claims in manufacturing were down. Compare those numbers to last September when claims were down by 26.1 percent from 436.
“The area continues to head in the right direction,” Butler said.
