Pierce County’s estimated unemployment rate held steady at 3.1 percent in February.
Bruce Thompson, Georgia’s Labor Commissioner, said most areas of the state experienced slightly lower unemployment rates or the rate was unchanged from February.
Thompson said that historically, claims increase every January due to temporary seasonal manufacturing shutdowns and the retail sector shedding workers hired for the holiday season. In February, initial unemployment claims decreased in all Regional Commissions, dropping back to normal levels.
“Pro-growth policies that foster innovation and drive success are why Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business and a perennial powerhouse in talent development,” said Thompson. “Even with a slowing nationwide economy, communities across Georgia continue to thrive with low unemployment and high job growth.”
Pierce County’s rate was in line with the state average of 3.1 percent and slightly below the national average of 3.6 percent.
Georgia hit a peak of over 9 % in unemployment in April 2020 at the height of the pandemic.
Pierce County’s rate remains at a near record low. 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.
January’s unemployment rate is two tenths of a point higher than the 2.9 percent rate reported during the same month in 2022.
According to Department of Labor statistics, Pierce County has a labor force of 8,901 with 8,625 employed. The number of those listed as unemployed was 276, exactly the same as last month.
In the Southern Georgia region, the unemployment rate was down a tenth of a percent, to 3.6 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.4 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.
