Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Rome added to its labor force in September.
 
According to preliminary data, Rome also saw strong annual numbers across all major indicators. The unemployment rate decreased across the one-county metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
 
“September was a really remarkable month in our local communities,” Butler said. “Four MSAs hit their lowest all-time unemployment rate. All 12 added to their total number of employed residents. Some set records for jobs or labor force. It's good to see most of our communities around the state performing so well.”
 
Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percentage points in September to 3.5 percent. The nation also grew its labor force, increased the number of employed residents and added more 130,000 jobs.
 
Georgia’s unemployment rate also fell 0.1 percentage points in September to reach 3.5 percent.  A year ago, Georgia’s unemployment rate sat at 3.7 percent. The state’s all-time low of 3.4 percent was set in December 2000.
 
Rates fell across all 14 of Georgia’s 14 MSAs. Four set records for lowest rates ever.

In Rome, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points in September, reaching 3.3 percent. A year ago, the rate was 4 percent.
 
Rome ended September with 42,400 jobs. That number remained flat over the month but increased by 1,000 jobs when compared to the same time a year ago.
 
The labor force increased in September by 214. The total was 44,346. That number is up by 405 from the total from September 2018.
 
Rome ended September with 42,883 employed residents.  That number increased by 460 over the month and increased by 700 when compared to the same time a year ago.
 
The number of unemployment claims increased by about 48 percent in September. When compared to last September, claims were up by about 105 percent.
 
The metropolitan statistical area includes just Floyd County.