The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the three-county Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 2.8%, down six-tenths over the month. A year ago, the rate was 2.8%.

“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.”

The labor force in Savannah increased by 722 over the month and ended the month at 210,203. That number increased by 1,603 from December 2024.

Savannah finished the month with 204,285 employed residents. That number increased by 2,020 over the month and increased by 1,434 from the same time last year.

Savannah ended December with 209,800 jobs, an all-time high. Jobs increased by 300 from the previous month and were up 300 from the same time last year.

In December, initial unemployment claims increased by 104 from the previous month and decreased by 11 from the same month a year ago, totaling 563.