The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the seven-county Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area saw an increase in employment in July, while the unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 4.0%. A year ago, the rate was 4.4%.

“July brought a clear victory for Georgia: Unemployment fell in every single metro area and region,” said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “When state leaders, local communities and Main Street businesses row in the same direction, results follow. We aren’t slowing down – our focus remains on putting Georgians to work, growing paychecks and building real opportunity in every corner of the state.”

The labor force in Augusta was down 371 over the month and up by 5,191 over the year, reaching 281,408.

Augusta finished the month with 270,120 employed residents. That number increased by 47 over the month and rose by 5,977 compared to the same time a year ago.

Augusta ended the month with 253,000 jobs, down 1,500 over the month and up 1,600 from the same time last year.

In July, initial unemployment claims increased by 518 over the month and by 200 from the same time a year ago, totaling 1,283.

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.