Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Columbus recorded an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent, up one-tenth of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 5.9 percent. Despite this, Columbus saw highs in the labor force, number of employed, and jobs in the month of December.

“Job numbers are up across Georgia, and our focus in 2022 is encouraging people to enter the workforce to help businesses provide the goods and services necessary for Georgia’s economy to continue to grow,” said Commissioner Mark Butler.

The labor force increased in Columbus by 830 and ended the month with 122,729. That number is down 86 when compared to December of 2020.

Columbus finished the month with 119,259 employed residents. That number increased by 687 over the month and is up by 3,682 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Columbus ended December with 121,200 jobs. That number increased 1,400 from November to December and increased by 3,300 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 21 percent in Columbus in December. When compared to last December, claims were down by about 85 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 4,617 active job postings in Columbus for December.