There are over 8,000 more workers employed in Northwest Georgia than there was this time last year, that according to the latest numbers released by the Georgia Department of Labor on Thursday of last week. 

The increase in the number of workers is reflected in the lowest unemployment numbers in history in Northwest Georgia and across the state.  Despite the fact that so many people are working, there are still thousands of jobs that remain unfilled.

Unemployment claims in the Northwest Georgia region dropped by 8,866 over this time last year.

Here are the numbers from the Georgia Department of Labor:

The March preliminary unemployment rate for Northwest Georgia — covering Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker and Whitfield counties — remained unchanged at 3%; the rate was 3.6% one year ago.

♦ The labor force was down 11 from February but up 8,328 from March 2021 to 433,918.

♦ The number of employed was down 171 for the month but up 10,615 from a year earlier to 420,752.

♦ Initial claims were up 3 (1%) vs. February; down 8,866 to 1,787 vs. March 2021.

♦ Initial claims were up in Manufacturing and Management of Companies and Enterprises from February, and down in Manufacturing and Accommodation and Food Services from the same month last year.

There were 6,509 jobs posted on Employ Georgia.