Unemployment dropped in metro Athens and all of Georgia’s 12 regional commissions over the month of December. The Georgia Department of Labor recorded an unemployment rate of 3.0% in Athens' four-county Metropolitan Statistical Area, down seven-tenths over the course of the month, but slightly higher than the 2.8% rate recorded in December 2024.
Athens finished the month with 106,816 employed residents, a steady increase over the month and the calendar year. The labor force went down 26 over the month and increased by 848 over the year, amounting to 110,115. 106,816 residents were noted as employed, up 705 over the month and up 637 from a year ago.
Athens ended December with 106,600 jobs, down 200 over the month and 300 over the year. Initial unemployment claims rose by 62 over the month and were down 282 from a year ago, totaling 208.
“In December, more Georgians were working and unemployment dropped across every area in the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Looking ahead in 2026, we remain committed to creating pathways to in-demand careers, supporting businesses with the talent they need, and making sure every Georgian can turn these employment gains into meaningful opportunity.”
