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All 12 Georgia Regional Commissions See Gains as Six Reach Record Labor Force and Employment Levels

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, October 27th, 2026

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday Georgia’s 12 Regional Commissions recorded gains in their labor forces and employment in September. Additionally, Atlanta, Central Savannah River, Coastal Georgia, Northeast Georgia, Northwest Georgia and Three Rivers reached all-time highs in labor force and employment.

“Momentum is building across Georgia,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “With sustained regional growth, our strong economy and competitive workforce drive continuous opportunity. We are building the Top State for Talent to keep Georgia the clear choice for job creators and families alike.”

Here is a synopsis of each regional commission:

Atlanta Regional Commission 

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.5% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 20,927 over-the-month and up 55,548 over-the-year, to 2,765,878, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 16,516 over-the-month and up 50,873 over-the-year, to 2,668,854, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 608 over-the-month and down 966 over-the-year, to 8,068.  

Central Savannah River 

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 4.1% over-the-month. The rate was 4.0% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 2,967 over-the-month and up 6,427 over-the-year, to 219,455, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 2,585 over-the-month and up 5,856 over-the-year, to 210,416, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 165 over-the-month and down 124 over-the-year, to 791. 

Coastal Georgia 

  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.3% over-the-month. The rate was 3.0% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 3,099 over-the-month and up 9,923 over-the-year, to 376,250, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 2,436 over-the-month and up 8,700 over-the-year, to 363,955, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 46 over-the-month and down 198 over-the-year, to 765.

Georgia Mountains 

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.2% over-the-month. The rate was 2.9% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 2,576 over-the-month and up 5,713 over-the-year, to 252,269. 
  • The number of employed was up 2,079 over-the-month and up 4,727 over-the-year, to 244,102.
  • Initial claims were down 73 over-the-month and down 266 over-the-year, to 488. 

Heart of Georgia 

  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.9% over-the-month. The rate was 3.7% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 2,829 over-the-month and up 4,259 over-the-year, to 124,193. 
  • The number of employed was up 2,579 over-the-month and up 3,905 over-the-year, to 119,397.
  • Initial claims were up 66 over-the-month and down 591 over-the-year, to 401. 

Middle Georgia 

  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.8% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 2,617 over-the-month and up 3,276 over-the-year, to 229,461. 
  • The number of employed was up 2,095 over-the-month and up 2,523 over-the-year, to 220,693.
  • Initial claims were down 67 over-the-month and down 131 over-the-year, to 620.

Northeast Georgia 

  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.2% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 4,317 over-the-month and up 9,516 over-the-year, to 364,212, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 3,434 over-the-month and up 8,456 over-the-year, to 351,712, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 99 over-the-month and down 138 over-the-year, to 803. 

Northwest Georgia 

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 6,163 over-the-month and up 12,004 over-the-year, to 467,432, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 5,338 over-the-month and up 10,995 over-the-year, to 451,603, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were up 695 over-the-month and up 102 over-the-year, to 2,053. 

River Valley

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 4.2% over-the-month. The rate was 4.1% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 1,713 over-the-month and up 3,043 over-the-year, to 149,045. 
  • The number of employed was up 1,443 over-the-month and up 2,679 over-the-year, to 142,738.
  • Initial claims were down 42 over-the-month and down 40 over-the-year, to 463. 

Southern Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.8% over-the-month. The rate was 3.5% one year ago. 
  • The labor force was up 3,873 over-the-month and up 4,246 over-the-year, to 179,735.
  • The number of employed was up 3,452 over-the-month and up 3,686 over-the-year, to 172,976.
  • Initial claims were down 1 over-the-month and down 104 over-the-year, to 469. 

Southwest Georgia

  • The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.9% over-the-month. The rate was 3.7% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 3,077 over-the-month and up 2,571 over-the-year, to 151,409. 
  • The number of employed was up 2,741 over-the-month and up 2,217 over-the-year, to 145,521.
  • Initial claims were down 11 over-the-month and down 102 over-the-year, to 431. 

Three Rivers

  • The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.2% one year ago.
  • The labor force was up 2,762 over-the-month and up 5,847 over-the-year, to 276,222, an all-time high.
  • The number of employed was up 2,268 over-the-month and up 5,141 over-the-year, to 266,746, an all-time high.
  • Initial claims were down 244 over-the-month and down 107 over-the-year, to 734. 

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office   
[email protected]   
(404) 232-3685   

Media Contacts:    
Sr. Communications Specialist, Annalise Morning   
Email: Annalise.Morning@gdol.ga.gov   
Phone Number: 470-733-6638   

Chief Communications Officer, Shawna Mercer   
Email: [email protected].gov   
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail.

For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers<