Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Macon saw its unemployment rate drop a substantial 1.6 percentage points in October.

Macon also saw monthly increases across all major indicators, including labor force, number of employed residents, and jobs for October.

“In October, every MSA saw unemployment rates dramatically decrease, including some areas that dropped to pre-pandemic numbers, demonstrating how strong our economy was across the state prior to the crisis and how we are successfully recovering,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler.  “We have a significant number of jobs available on EmployGeorgia from all parts of the state for those looking for new career opportunities.  Filling these jobs will be critical for continuing the growth we need to progress economically.”

In Macon, the unemployment rate decreased 1.6 percentage points in October, reaching 5 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.4 percent.

The labor force increased in Macon by 2,469 and ended the month with 101,523. That number is down 1,285 when compared to October of 2019. 

Macon finished the month with 96,447 employed residents.  That number increased by 3,913 over the month and is down by 2,776 when compared to the same time a year ago. 

Macon ended October with 99,500. jobs. That number increased by 100 from September to October but decreased by 3,400 when compared to this time last year. 

The number of unemployment claims went down by 3 percent in Macon. When compared to last October, claims were up by about 609 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 2,461 active job postings in metro Macon for October.