Unemployment rate ticks up in March

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson is observing his first 100 days in office with near record low unemployment in Georgia. Still, he says his office is being pro-active to assist Georgians in finding employment.

“Although we continue enjoying record-low unemployment numbers and jobs at an all-time high, our team is laser-focused on meeting future demands. It’s not a matter of if claims will increase, but when. The agency’s new efficiency measures and progress toward modernization will ensure we are ready and well-positioned to help Georgians when they need it most.”

Pierce County’s rate was in line with the state average of 3.3 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.

March’s unemployment rate is six tenths of a point higher than the 2.6 percent rate reported during the same month in 2022.

According to Department of Labor statistics, Pierce County has a labor force of 8,941 with 8,657 employed. The number of those listed as unemployed was 284.

In the Southern Georgia region, the unemployment rate was unchanged from February at 3.6 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.1 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.