Metro Augusta Unemployment Rate at 4.1% as Labor Force and Employment Grow Over the Year
Friday, September 25th, 2026
The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the seven-county Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area’s over-the-month unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.1% in August, and down from 4.4% a year ago. The area’s labor force and employment also increased over the year.
“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.”
The labor force in Augusta was down 444 over the month and up by 5,481 over the year, reaching 280,981.
Augusta finished the month with 269,515 employed residents. That number decreased by 664 over the month and rose by 6,155 compared to the same time a year ago.
Augusta ended the month with 252,900 jobs, down 200 over the month and 500 from the same time last year.
In August, initial unemployment claims decreased by 474 over the month and increased by 122 from the same time a year ago, totaling 809.
