Department of Numbers

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Athens rose 0.1 percentage points in October 2023 to 3.3%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.1 percentage points lower than the Georgia rate. The unemployment rate in Athens peaked in April 2020 at 11.2% and is now 7.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.0% in September 2021, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.3 percentage points. You can also compare Athens unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate October 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.9% +0.1 +0.2
Georgia 3.4% 0.0 +0.3
Athens 3.3% +0.1 +0.3
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with October 2023 data as November metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Athens, Georgia, National

Athens, Georgia monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Athens, Georgia Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Athens peaked in April 2020 at 10,652. There are now 7,357 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 2,890 in May 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 405. Athens employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Athens, Georgia) is also available.

Unemployed Persons October 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Athens 3,295 +64 +324

Number of Unemployed Persons

Athens, Georgia Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Georgia
Unemployment Rate
Athens
Unemployment Rate
Athens
Unemployed
November
2023
3.7%
October
2023
3.9% 3.4% 3.3% 3,295
September
2023
3.8% 3.4% 3.2% 3,231
August
2023
3.8% 3.3% 3.2% 3,175
July
2023
3.5% 3.2% 3.1% 3,071
June
2023
3.6% 3.2% 3.1% 3,118
May
2023
3.7% 3.2% 3.1% 3,126
April
2023
3.4% 3.1% 3.0% 3,034
March
2023
3.5% 3.1% 3.1% 3,058
February
2023
3.6% 3.1% 3.0% 3,000
January
2023
3.4% 3.1% 3.0% 2,976
December
2022
3.5% 3.1% 3.0% 2,950

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.