Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Gainesville recorded an unemployment rate of 2.5 percent in October, up five-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 2.3 percent.

"Job seekers have continued to experience a favorable hiring environment across multiple job sectors, despite a slight uptick in unemployment rates," said Commissioner Butler. “As we prepare for peak holiday hiring, we encourage job seekers to take advantage of the many employment opportunities, both full-time and part-time, available across Georgia.”

The labor force increased in Gainesville by 701 and ended the month with 106,773. That number rose by 1,366 when compared to October of 2021.

Gainesville finished the month with 104,148 employed residents. That number increased by 211 over the month and increased by 1,174 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Gainesville ended October with 100,000 jobs, an all-time high. From September to October, job numbers rose 1,200. When compared to October of 2021, job numbers rose by 3,200.

The number of unemployment claims decreased by 18 percent in Gainesville in October. When compared to last October, claims were down by about 16 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 2,219 active job postings in Gainesville for October.