Staff Report Pierce County’s estimated unemployment rate fell almost a full point —nine tenths — in April, breaking a streak of three straight months of increase.
The local rate dropped to 3.1 percent in April, down from 4 percent in March. Pierce County’s rate was below the region, state and national rates.
The 18-county South Georgia Region had a rate of 3.2 percent, down seven tenths of a point. The state unemployment rate was 3.6, down slightly by a tenth from March. The national unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, unchanged from March.
According to Department of Labor statistics, Pierce County has a labor force of 8,307 with 8,050 employed. The number of those listed as unemployed was 257, down 70 from March.
The rate is still slightly above the April, 2024 rate of 2.8 percent.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said unemployment rates dropped in every area of Georgia.
“This April, unemployment rates dropped across every region of Georgia,” said Holmes. “When we connect Georgians with meaningful work, we're putting food on tables, creating stability for individuals and families, and building an economy where our children can see their future—right here at home. This is how we grow a stronger Georgia— one job, one family, one community at a time.”
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 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.
Holmes was appointed as Labor Commissioner earlier this year. She will fill the vacancy left following the death of Commissioner Bruce Thompson, who died in office in November, 2024.
