Pierce County’s estimated unemployment rate continues to fluctuate. The August rate was 2.9 percent, an increase of four tenths of a point compared to July. The increase in unemployment this month, follows a six tenths of a point decrease from June.
Unemployment rates were up in all regions of the state during the month of August.
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says he anticipates the rate will go back down this fall as retailers begin seasonal hiring for the holiday season.
“As we look toward the fall, we are committed to supporting the workforce as employers search for seasonal, full-time, and part-time employees to fill vacancies in preparation for the holiday employment season,” said Commissioner Butler.
Pierce County recorded an 8.4 percent unemployment rate in April 2020 at the peak of the shelter in place order caused by the COVID 19 virus and before businesses reopened.
The recovery has been uneven. August’s increase was nearly identical to July’s decrease in the rate.
August’s unemployment rate is three tenths of a point lower than the 3.2 percent rate reported in August, 2021.
According to Department of Labor statistics, Pierce County has a labor force of 8,530 with 8,279 employed. The number of those listed as unemployed was 251, up by 27 compared to July.
In the Southern Georgia region, the unemployment rate was up two-tenths of a point to 3.3 percent. The rate was 3.1 percent in July. A year ago, the rate was 3.8 percent.
In addition to Pierce, the 18-county South Georgia region includes Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, Turner and Ware.
Statewide, the unemployment rate was 3.1 percent in August, up two tenths from July and down eight tenths of a percent from this time last year and over 9 % from April 2020’s peak of 12.5% unemployment.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 878 active job postings in Southern Georgia.
