Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that in August both the unemployment rate and claims for unemployment fell in Savannah.

For the month, the three-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA) also lost labor force and employed residents. The number of jobs remained constant.  

Still, most indicators remain positive for the year.

“These changes are common this time of year,” Butler said. “The numbers move as students leave summer employment and return to school. They long-term trends continue to be strong.” 

The August unemployment rate fell 3.6 percent – tied for third^h among all 14 MSAs in Georgia. That’s down 0.1 percent from the previous month and down from 4.6 percent one year ago.   

The labor force decreased in August by 3,470 to reach 185,202 total members.  The number has dropped by about 990 over the past 12 months. 

Savannah lost 3,113 employed residents in August, dropping its total to 178,560. That number has grown by about 873 over the past year.  

Savannah saw jobs stay constant in August at 178,900. That kept Savannah down 800 jobs for the year.

Initial claims for unemployment are down by about 2 percent for the month and are down by about 7 percent when compared to the same period a year ago.    

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 2,620 active job postings in metro Savannah  for August. 

The MSA includes Bryan, Chatham, and Effingham counties.