Gainesville set records in November for total jobs and employed residents, according to numbers released Thursday morning by Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
At the same time, the unemployment rate fell again. The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) said Gainesville maintained annual growth in all critical measures across the one-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
"This really has been a great year for Georgia," Butler said in his monthly report. "Across the state we continue to add jobs, and find people to fill them. We’ve routinely set records. There is much to be thankful for this holiday season."
The unemployment rate for November 2018, at 2.6 percent, was down 0.3 percent over the previous month. A year ago, the rate was 3.5 percent. That rate was lowest among the 14 MSAs. The rate decreased in 13 of the 14 MSAs.
Butler said the one negative for the Gainesville area was the number of workers in the labor force. He said labor force in Gainesville fell by 73 in November to reach 104,274. Even with the monthly drop, the number is up by 2,796 over the past year – an average monthly increase of about 230.
Gainesville added 246 employed residents in November, pushing the total to a new record high of 101,541. The number is up 3,620 for the year, or about 300 per month.
Jobs grew by 700 in November to 95,900 - a record high. The job total in Gainesville is up 4,300 over the year – an average monthly increase of almost 360.
Claims for unemployment insurance increased by 41 percent in November. They were down by 10 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 686 active job postings in metro Gainesville for November.
The one-county MSA includes just Hall County.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
