Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Savannah’s unemployment rate spiked in April, breaking all previous all-time highs. 

Due to the effects of COVID-19, all MSA’s throughout the state saw a dramatic incline in initial claims along with every other major sector.

 “Although we are seeing all-time high unemployment rates across a majority of the state, we are continuing to work with employers on effective strategies to get Georgians back to work in both a safe and economically efficient way,” said Butler. 

In Savannah, the unemployment rate increased 10.9 percentage points in April, reaching 15.3 percent. A year ago, the rate was 2.9 percent.

The number of unemployment claims went up by 242 percent in April, which directly correlated with the number of temporary and potentially permanent lay-offs associated with COVID-19. When compared to last April, claims were up by about 12,264 percent. 

Savannah ended April with 160,400 jobs. That number decreased by 25,100 from March to April and was down by 26,700 when compared to this time last year. 

The labor force decreased in April by 12,417 and ended the month with 177,284. That number is down 10,810 when compared to April of 2019. 

Savannah finished the month with 150,094 employed residents.  That number decreased by 31,180 over the month and is down by 32,587 when compared to the same time a year ago.