Northwest Georgia added workers during August, with both the regional labor force and the number of people employed reaching all-time highs, according to new figures from the Georgia Department of Labor.

The 15-county Northwest Georgia region, which includes Chattooga County, recorded an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in August. That was up slightly from 3.1 percent in July, but remained below the 3.6 percent recorded in August 2025.

The region’s labor force increased by 1,933 people during August to a record 461,334. The number of employed residents increased by 1,173 to an all-time high of 446,318. Compared with a year ago, Northwest Georgia has nearly 10,800 more people in the labor force and almost 11,800 more people employed.

Initial unemployment claims also declined across the region. Claims fell by 598 during August to 1,358, and were 381 lower than during August of last year.

Nearby Floyd County, which makes up the Rome Metropolitan Statistical Area, also posted gains. Rome’s unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in August, while the number of employed residents increased to 47,007. Payroll jobs in the metro area increased to 46,900.

For Chattooga County, the latest county-level figure showed an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent, while the broader Northwest Georgia region stood at 3.3 percent in August.

Statewide, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in August, with both the labor force and total employment reaching record levels.

The new numbers show that while unemployment ticked up slightly in Northwest Georgia during August, more people were entering the workforce and more residents were employed than at any previous point measured by the state.