The Athens metropolitan area recorded a 3.5% unemployment rate in June, according to data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor.
The rate increased by 0.8 percentage points from May but was slightly lower than the 3.6% reported in June 2025.
The increase mirrored a statewide trend, with unemployment rates rising across all 12 of Georgia's regional commissions in June as seasonal workforce shifts followed the end of the school year.
State Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said the month-to-month increase reflects normal seasonal changes, adding that Georgia's year-over-year labor market remains stable. Athens' labor force totaled 112,817 in June, down 398 from May but up 5,266 from a year ago.
Employed residents numbered 108,854, while the region reported 107,700 jobs, a decline of 800 over the month but an increase of 4,200 year over year. Initial unemployment claims totaled 210, down 17 from May.
