Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Gainesville set records for labor force, employed residents, and jobs in September.
 
“September was a really remarkable month in our local communities,” Butler said. “Four MSAs hit their lowest all-time unemployment rate. All 12 added to their total number of employed residents. Some set records for jobs or labor force. It's good to see most of our communities around the state performing so well.”
 
Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points in September to 3.5 percent. The nation also grew its labor force, increased the number of employed residents and added more 130,000 jobs.
 
Georgia’s unemployment rate also fell 0.1 percentage points in September to reach 3.5 percent.  A year ago, Georgia’s unemployment rate sat at 3.7 percent. The state’s all-time low of 3.4 percent was set in December 2000.
 
Rates fell across all 14 of Georgia’s 14 MSAs. Four set records for lowest rates ever.

Gainesville’s unemployment rate fell in September, decreasing by 0.5 percentage points to settle at 2.4 percent. A year ago, the rate was 2.9 percent.
 
The labor force increased in September by 316 to reach 104,307- an all-time high. That number is up by 1,677 from the total of September 2018.
 
Gainesville ended September with 101,829 employed residents- an all-time high.  The number increased by 854 in September and was up by 2,153 over September 2018’s total.
 
Gainesville ended September with 97,100 jobs - an all-time high. The MSA stayed flat over the month but was up 3,100 jobs when compared to this time last year.
 
The number of unemployment claims increased in September by about 4 percent but were down by about 21 percent from the same period last year.     
 
The one-county MSA includes Hall County.