Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Augusta’s unemployment rate was 4 percent in January, up seven-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. Due to seasonal factors from December to January, data that is not seasonally adjusted typically shows an increase in unemployment – a seasonal trend that happens each year.

“Despite a nationwide pandemic and challenging economic times, continued investments in Georgia’s labor force and thriving business community have kept our economy strong,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “As labor commissioner, it is my No. 1 priority to help more Georgians get back to work and fill the jobs that our businesses need.”

The labor force decreased in Augusta by 516 and ended the month with 260,155. That number went down by 3,652 when compared to January of 2022.

Augusta finished the month with 249,850 employed residents. That number decreased by 2,314 over the month and went down by 3,867 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Augusta ended January with 240,500 jobs. That number decreased by 5,200 from December to January and rose by 1,700 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 44 percent in Augusta in January. When compared to last January, claims were up by about 64 percent.