Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Warner Robins’ unemployment rate dropped sharply in December even as it rose across most of the state.   

At the same time, Warner Robins maintained annual growth in most critical measures for the three-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).     

“Georgia had a very good year economically speaking in 2018,” Butler said. “As I look back over the year, our state added to its workforce, employed more residents and increased jobs. Many of our local communities set records.”

The unemployment rate for December, at 3.9 percent, dropped by 0.5 over the previous month. It was 4.5 percent a year ago.  That rate tied for seventh among the 14 MSAs. 

The labor force in Warner Robins fell by 657 in December to reach 85,180. That number is up by 117 over the past year – an average monthly increase of about 10. 

Warner Robins lost 265 employed residents in December, pushing the total to 81,826. The number is up by 549 for the year, or about 45 per month. 

Jobs grew were flat in December at 75,100. The job total in Warner Robins is up 900 over the year – an average monthly increase of 75.

Claims for unemployment insurance fell by 59 percent in December. They were down by 30 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 757 active job postings in metro Warner Robins for December.