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All 12 Georgia Regional Commissions See Labor Force Gains in August

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, September 29th, 2026

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that all 12 of Georgia’s Regional Commissions saw growth in their labor forces in August. Coastal Georgia, Northeast Georgia and Northwest Georgia reached all-time highs in their labor forces, while Coastal Georgia and Northwest Georgia also reached all-time highs in employment.

“Georgia’s economy continues to deliver,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Barbara Rivera Holmes. “Across the state, we’re seeing a strong labor force and regional growth that reflects an economy rewarding hard work, encouraging job creation and removing unnecessary barriers. As we build Georgia into a Top State for Talent, we’re creating a place where people can work, businesses can invest and communities can thrive.” 

Here is a synopsis of each regional commission:

Atlanta Regional Commission
  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.6% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 8,254 over-the-month and up 47,809 over-the-year, to 2,744,805.
  • The number of employed was up 4,127 over-the-month and up 52,081 over-the-year, to 2,652,155.
  • Initial claims were down 703 over-the-month and down 583 over-the-year, to 8,676.
Central Savannah River
  • The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 4.0% over-the-month. The rate was 4.2% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 276 over-the-month and up 5,003 over-the-year, to 216,441.
  • The number of employed was up 321 over-the-month and up 5,268 over-the-year, to 207,781.
  • Initial claims were down 493 over-the-month and up 165 over-the-year, to 956.
Coastal Georgia
  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.1% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 2,197 over-the-month and up 9,123 over-the-year, to 373,510, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 1,461 over-the-month and up 9,694 over-the-year, to 361,872, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 254 over-the-month and down 151 over-the-year, to 811.
Georgia Mountains
  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.1% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,686 over-the-month and up 4,752 over-the-year, to 249,540. 
  • The number of employed was up 1,183 over-the-month and up 5,134 over-the-year, to 241,866.
  • Initial claims were down 128 over-the-month and down 85 over-the-year, to 561.
Heart of Georgia
  • The unemployment rate remained unchanged posting at 3.7% over-the-month. The rate was 4.1% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,406 over-the-month and up 3,533 over-the-year, to 121,409. 
  • The number of employed was up 1,301 over-the-month and up 3,804 over-the-year, to 116,862.
  • Initial claims were down 222 over-the-month and down 155 over-the-year, to 335.
Middle Georgia
  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.6% over-the-month. The rate was 3.9% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 323 over-the-month and up 2,743 over-the-year, to 226,763.
  • The number of employed was down 53 over-the-month and up 3,166 over-the-year, to 218,518.
  • Initial claims were down 45 over-the-month and down 84 over-the-year, to 687. 
Northeast Georgia
  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.2% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 3,006 over-the-month and up 9,480 over-the-year, to 360,006, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 2,514 over-the-month and up 10,096 over-the-year, to 348,382.
  • Initial claims were down 6 over-the-month and down 137 over-the-year, to 902.
Northwest Georgia
  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.6% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,933 over-the-month and up 10,799 over-the-year, to 461,334, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 1,173 over-the-month and up 11,797 over-the-year, to 446,318, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 598 over-the-month and down 381 over-the-year, to 1,358.
River Valley
  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 4.1% over-the-month. The rate was 4.4% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,320 over-the-month and up 2,108 over-the-year, to 146,774.
  • The number of employed was up 1,010 over-the-month and up 2,367 over-the-year, to 140,734.
  • Initial claims were down 187 over-the-month and down 14 over-the-year, to 505.
Southern Georgia
  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.6% over-the-month. The rate was 3.9% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 2,069 over-the-month and up 2,461 over-the-year, to 175,948.
  • The number of employed was up 1,746 over-the-month and up 2,838 over-the-year, to 169,606.
  • Initial claims were down 280 over-the-month and down 135 over-the-year, to 470.
Southwest Georgia
  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.7% over-the-month. The rate was 4.0% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 1,221 over-the-month and up 2,376 over-the-year, to 148,437.
  • The number of employed was up 909 over-the-month and up 2,716 over-the-year, to 142,892.
  • Initial claims were down 39 over-the-month and down 155 over-the-year, to 442.
Three Rivers
  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 873 over-the-month and up 4,735 over-the-year, to 273,550.
  • The number of employed was up 521 over-the-month and up 5,196 over-the-year, to 264,567.
  • Initial claims were down 207 over-the-month and up 157 over-the-year, to 978.

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office

[email protected]
(404) 232-3685

Media Contact: Chief Communications Officer, Shawna Mercer
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail.

For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report.