The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the one-county Gainesville Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 2.5%, down eight-tenths over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 2.5%.

“In December, more Georgians were working and unemployment dropped across every area in the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Looking ahead in 2026, we remain committed to creating pathways to in-demand careers, supporting businesses with the talent they need, and making sure every Georgian can turn these employment gains into meaningful opportunity.”

The labor force in Gainesville increased by 198 over the past month and increased by 811 over the year, to 109,438.

Gainesville finished the month with 106,653 employed residents. That number increased by 989 over the month and increased by 792 from the same time a year ago.

Gainesville ended December with 109,300 jobs, an all-time high. That number was up 300 from the previous month and remained unchanged from the same time last year.

In December, initial unemployment claims increased by 206 from the previous month and by 81 from the same month a year ago, totaling 391.