A year ago, the unemployment rate in the Gainesville metro was 2.2%, but in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, that number has grown to 3.5% this year. The November rate is an increase of six-tenths of a percentage point from October, according to State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
Butler said there was some positive news in the metro jobs report, despite rising the rising unemployment rate.
"In November, almost all MSAs saw over-the-month growth in key indicators," said Butler. “Although the unemployment rate increased across the state, we have held consistently steady numbers in areas such as job growth and employment. We will continue to fill the jobs that are currently available, in order for us to move our economy back to where it was pre-pandemic."
Butler said Gainesville saw its labor force grow in November and also saw positive numbers of employed residents, initial jobless claims and jobs available for November.
- The labor force increased in Gainesville by 1,068 and ended the month with 102,033. That number is down 834 when compared to November of 2019.
- Gainesville finished the month with 98,450 employed residents. That number increased by 386 over the month and is down by 2,170 when compared to the same time a year ago.
- Gainesville ended November with 92,400. jobs. That number increased by 400 from October to November but decreased by 2,500 when compared to this time last year.
- The number of unemployment claims went down by 53% percent in Gainesville. When compared to last November, claims were up by about 462 percent.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 1,324 active job postings in metro Gainesville for November.
