State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that metro Columbus’ unemployment and jobs picture looked bright in August.

Butler said Wednesday that in August the unemployment rate was just 5.7 percent, unemployment claims fell and job growth continued to climb.  

“The August numbers show metro Columbus’ economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” said Butler.

The August unemployment rate was down from 5.9 percent in July. A decline of 859 in the labor force contributed to the decline in the monthly rate which can be attributed to school age workers returning to their educational institutions. The August rate compares favorably to last August when the rate was 6.6 percent.

From July to August, jobs in metro Columbus were up by 600 to 121,600. Most of the job growth came in government as the public schools reopened.

Since August 2016, metro Columbus has gained 400 jobs, a 0.3 percent growth rate. Most of the growth came in leisure and hospitality and education and health services.

There were 1,503 more metro Columbus residents employed than in August 2016.

“Georgia continues to be one of the leaders in job creation and employment,” Butler said. “It's great to see our employers continue to create jobs, and Georgians going back to work.”

Unemployment claims were down by 33.9 percent to 620 – another good sign for Columbus’ economy. Claims were down in manufacturing. Claims were down by 24.3 percent from August 2016.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at  employgeorgia.com showed 2,010 new active job postings in Metro Columbus for August.

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