The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that unemployment claims declined across most of Georgia's regional commissions in December.

“Georgia means business,” said GDOL Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. “With historic job growth nearing 5 million and unemployment rates outperforming the national average, Georgia is well on the way to making history. By expanding opportunities for all Georgians and attracting top-tier companies to every corner of the state, our story continues to be one of resilience and sustained economic success for the people and businesses that call the Peach State home.”

Please see a synopsis of each regional commission below:

Atlanta Regional Commission

• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.9 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 2,532 over-the-month and up 18,852 over-the-year, to 2,688,138.

• The number of employed was up 2,920 over-the-month and up 5,328 over-the-year, to 2,598,016.

• Initial claims were up 1,852 over-the-month and up 653 over-the-year, to 10,120.

Central Savannah River

• The unemployment rate was down three-tenths to 4.3 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 701 over-the-month and up 2,830 over-the-year, to 209,379.

• The number of employed was up 59 over-the-month and up 1,212 over-the-year, to 200,412.

• Initial claims were up 678 over-the-month and up 234 over-the-year, to 1,789.

Coastal Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 2.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.5 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 1,754 over-the-month and up 2,980 over-the-year, to 352,472.

• The number of employed was down 919 over-the-month and up 1,566 over-the-year, to 342,167.

• Initial claims were up 293 over-the-month and up 217 over-the-year, to 1,102.

Georgia Mountains

• The unemployment rate was down three-tenths to 2.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.4 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 2,663 over-the-month and up 4,091 over-the-year, to 254,332.

• The number of employed was down 2,058 over-the-month and up 3,299 over-the-year, to 247,601.

• Initial claims were up 336 over-the-month, and down 92 over-the-year, to 842. 

Heart of Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 3.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.2 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 1,304 over-the-month and up 3,521 over-the-year, to 123,461.

• The number of employed was down 1,120 over-the-month and up 2,880 over-the-year, to 118,959.

• Initial claims were up 543 over-the-month, and down 18 over-the-year, to 1,010.

Middle Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 898 over-the-month and up 4,353 over-the-year, to 219,498.

• The number of employed was down 431 over-the-month and up 3,157 over-the-year, to 211,714.

• Initial claims were up 150 over-the-month and down 4 over-the-year, to 857.

Northeast Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 3.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.8 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 1,341 over-the-month and up 6,388 over-the-year, to 339,682.

• The number of employed was down 638 over-the-month and up 5,177 over-the-year, to 329,178.

• Initial claims were up 307 over-the-month and up 124 over-the-year, to 1,622.

Northwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.7 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.8 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was up 101 over-the-month and up 6,838 over-the-year, to 446,671.

• The number of employed was down 1,190 over-the-month and up 2,354 over-the-year, to 429,934.

• Initial claims were up 4,790 over-the-month and up 3,179 over-the-year, to 7,045.

River Valley

• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 4.1 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.5 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 1,339 over-the-month and up 2,574 over-the-year, to 145,845.

• The number of employed was down 905 over-the-month and up 1,622 over-the-year, to 139,923.

• Initial claims were up 369 over-the-month and down 12 over-the-year, to 824.

Southern Georgia

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.9 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 1,302 over-the-month and up 4,896 over-the-year, to 183,892.

• The number of employed was down 1,771 over-the-month and up 3,248 over-the-year, to 176,776.

• Initial claims were up 884 over-the-month and up 907 over-the-year, to 1,866.

Southwest Georgia

• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 3.1 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 1,747 over-the-month and up 4,140 over-the-year, to 148,968.

• The number of employed was down 1,440 over-the-month and up 3,384 over-the-year, to 143,707.

• Initial claims were up 394 over-the-month and up 137 over-the-year, to 783.

Three Rivers

• The unemployment rate was down one-tenth to 3.4 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.7 percent one year ago.

• The labor force was down 290 over-the-month and up 3,805 over-the-year, to 264,336.

• The number of employed was up 48 over-the-month and up 1,944 over-the-year, to 255,332.

• Initial claims were up 671 over-the-month and up 816 over-the-year, to 1,748.