Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Gainesville saw its unemployment rate drop a substantial 1.0 percentage point in October. 

Gainesville also saw monthly increases across all major indicators, including labor force, number of employed residents, and jobs for October. 

“In October, every MSA saw unemployment rates dramatically decrease, including some areas that dropped to pre-pandemic numbers, demonstrating how strong our economy was across the state prior to the crisis and how we are successfully recovering,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler.  “We have a significant number of jobs available on EmployGeorgia from all parts of the state for those looking for new career opportunities.  Filling these jobs will be critical for continuing the growth we need to progress economically.” 

In Gainesville, the unemployment rate decreased 1 percentage point in October, reaching 2.9 percent. A year ago, the rate was 2.5 percent.

The labor force increased in Gainesville by 4,413 and ended the month with 101,065. That number is down 1,916 when compared to October of 2019.

Gainesville finished the month with 98,103 employed residents.  That number increased by 5,264 over the month and is down by 2,320 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Gainesville ended October with 92,000. jobs. That number increased by 1,600 from September to October but decreased by 2,500 when compared to this time last year. 

The number of unemployment claims went down by 5 percent in Gainesville. When compared to last October, claims were up by about 1,045 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 1,444 active job postings in metro Gainesville for October.