Pierce County’s estimated unemployment rate ticked up three tenths of a percent in January to 3.7 percent.
The local unemployment rate has fluctuated over the last four months. The rate was up a tenth in December, down three tenths in November, up half a point in October, down 1.3 percent in September and up seven tenths of a point in August. The rate is in line with the rate for January, 2024, when the jobless rate stood at 3.6 percent.
According to Department of Labor statistics, Pierce County has a labor force of 8,317 with 8,009 employed. The number of those listed as unemployed was 308, up 12 from December.
Pierce’s rate was slightly above the state average of 3.6 percent. The state rate was down a tenth from December.
Both Pierce County and the state are lower than the nationwide unemployment rate. The national unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in January, down a tenth from December.
Georgia Department of Labor Emergency Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. said most of Georgia saw an increase in January unemployment rates.
“Georgia’s success is driven by its people and we remain committed to supporting them every step of the way,” said DeBroux. “While job growth has faced challenges this month, key industries across the state continue to offer opportunities for hardworking Georgians. Even with the rise in unemployment, our mission remains clear—helping Georgia’s workers find and keep meaningful employment in every corner of our state.”
In the Southern Georgia region, the unemployment rate was down two tenths to 3.7 percent, compared to December. The rate was also at 3.7 percent in January of 2024.
Despite the slight increases, Georgia’s unemployment numbers continue to be near record low levels for Pierce County and across the state.
The 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 in 2020. Georgia hit a peak of over 9 % in unemployment in April 2020 at the height of the pandemic.
In addition to Pierce, the 18county South Georgia region includes Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, Turner and Ware.
DeBroux is serving an interim appointment. Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson died Sunday, November 24, 2024, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59.
