Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Macon recorded an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in October, up five-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.7 percent.

"Job seekers have continued to experience a favorable hiring environment across multiple job sectors, despite a slight uptick in unemployment rates," said Commissioner Butler. “As we prepare for peak holiday hiring, we encourage job seekers to take advantage of the many employment opportunities, both full-time and part-time, available across Georgia.”

The labor force decreased in Macon by 37 and ended the month with 102,386. That number went down 1,151 when compared to October of 2021.

Macon finished the month with 98,827 employed residents. That number decreased by 514 over the month and decreased by 888 when compared to the same time a year ago.

Macon ended October with 104,100 jobs. That number went up 300 from September to October and increased by 1,600 when compared to this time last year.

The number of unemployment claims went down by 31 percent in Macon in October. When compared to last October, claims were down by about 17 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 3,135 active job postings in Macon for October.