Metro Savannah’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 5 Percent in September

The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Savannah’s unemployment rate in September was 5 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 4.9 percent in August. The rate in September 2015 was 5.2 percent.
The rate rose as the labor force increased by 1,387 to 184,902. The labor force consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed, but actively looking for jobs. While the number of employed increased by 1,190 to 175,663, the number of unemployed also rose by 197 to 9,239, which contributed to the rate hike. 
The number of jobs increased by 100, or 0.1 percent, to 179,700. Most of the job gains came in professional and business services and state government.
Over the year, Savannah gained 6,800 jobs, a 3.9 percent growth rate, up from 172,900 in September 2015. Most of the job gains came in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, state and local government, trade, transportation and warehousing and education and health services, along with the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 107, or 13.6 percent, to 682 in September. Most of the decrease came in several industries, including accommodations and food services, administrative and support services, health care and social assistance and trade, transportation and warehousing. Over the year, claims were down by 178, or 20.7 percent, from 860 in September 2015.
Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.4 percent, while the Heart of Georgia- Altamaha region had the highest at 6.7 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for September was 5.1 percent, up from 4.9 percent in August. It was 5.6 percent in September 2015.
Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use the GDOL’s online job listing service, www.employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employers. In September, 3,433 new
job openings in Savannah were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 82,056 new job openings were posted.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.georgia.gov
To learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers, and to connect with us on social media, visit www.dol.georgia.gov