Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Columbus added jobs during December.

At the same time, the unemployment rate decreased.  Columbus maintained annual growth in most critical measures for the five-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).     

“Georgia had a very good year economically speaking in 2018,” Butler said. “As I look back over the year, our state added to its workforce, employed more residents and increased jobs. Many of our local communities set records.”

The unemployment rate for December , at 4.4 percent, went up 0.5 percent over the previous month.  A year ago, the rate was 5 percent. That rate was tied for 11^thamong the 14 MSAs.

The labor force in Columbus went up by 603 in December  to reach 126,847. That number is up by 1,385 over the past year – an average monthly increase of 115.

Columbus lost 43 employed resident in December, bringing the total to 121,254. The number is up by 2,020 for the year, or about 170 per month.

Jobs grew by 300 in December  to 125,400. The job total in Columbus is up 2,600 over the year – an average increase of 200.

Claims for unemployment insurance increased by 36 percent in December . They were up by 23 percent when compared to the same month a year ago. 

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 2,073 active job postings in metro Columbus for December.