Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Augusta recorded a strong September with all key measures trending in the right direction. 

For the month, Augusta increased its number of employed residents, added jobs and boosted its labor force. Unemployment claims also fell. Most indicators were positive for the year as well for the seven-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).

“It’s exciting to see so many of our communities across the state doing so well,” Butler said. “We continue to add jobs and see the unemployment rate fall. Even better, people are getting hired - often at record levels.”

The unemployment rate for September, at 3.6 percent, was down .7 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 4.7 percent. That rate was tied for 10th lowest among the 14 MSAs.

The labor force in Augusta grew by 76 in September to reach 268,161. That number is up by 1,221 over the past year – an average monthly increase of about 100.

Augusta gained 1,818 employed residents in September, pushing the total to 258,451. The number is up 3,980 for the year, or about 330 per month. 

Jobs grew by 1,100 in September at 241,100. Augusta’s job total is up 5,900 over the year – an average monthly increase of about 490.

Claims for unemployment insurance fell by 34 percent in September. They were up by 4 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 2,628 active job postings in metro Augusta for September.

The seven-county MSA includes the counties of Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond and Aiken and Edgefield in South Carolina.