Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate declined in September, with new figures showing the rate down two-tenths to 3.2%, according to Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Unemployment in Georgia dropped across nearly every region in September,” Holmes said. “As we approach the end of the year, we’re staying focused on keeping workers ready, businesses strong, and opportunity growing across the state.”

The September numbers arrived later than normal because a late-2025 federal government shutdown and lapse in appropriations disrupted operations at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), delaying labor market data collection and processing. BLS has documented that key survey operations used to produce unemployment statistics were suspended during the lapse, creating a backlog and forcing revised release schedules.

For Northwest Georgia, the latest report shows:

  • Unemployment rate: down 0.2 to 3.2% (also 3.2% one year ago)

  • Labor force: up 3,926 over the month and up 628 over the year to 458,308 (an all-time high)

  • Employed: up 4,723 over the month and up 460 over the year to 443,549 (an all-time high)

  • Initial claims: up 212 over the month but down 328 over the year to 1,951