Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Columbus recorded an unemployment rate of 3.6 percent in July, down three-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 4.8 percent.

"This summer, we have seen unemployment rates drop while job numbers have climbed," said Commissioner Mark Butler. "As employers have worked to fill positions with the most qualified people, job seekers have taken advantage of the wide range of employment opportunities with more benefits and flexibility than ever before.”

The labor force increased in Columbus by 14 and ended the month with 122,921. That number rose by 1,896 when compared to July of 2021.

Columbus finished the month with 118,536 employed residents. That number increased by 442 over the month and rose by 3,263 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Columbus ended July with 122,100 jobs. That number went up by 200 from June to July and increased by 5,000 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 17 percent in Columbus in July. When compared to last July, claims were down by about 55 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 4,040 active job postings in Columbus for July.