Employment increases in Rockdale County, unemployment down in September

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says the unemployment rate in Rockdale County fell in September as the number of employed residents increased and unemployment insurance claims declined.

The September unemployment rate, at 4.7 percent, was down from 5.4 percent in August. The September rate compares favorably to last September when the rate was 5.9 percent.

“The combination of a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of employed residents shows a county on the rise,” Butler said. “Seeing the number of jobs increase is always a good indicator. However, seeing the number of employed Georgians increase is the ultimate positive result.”

Butler said Wednesday that in September the number of employed residents increased to 43,184 from 42,609 in August. In September 2016, there were 41,384 employed residents in the county.

Unemployment claims were down by 23.8 percent to 199. Claims were down in administrative and support services and trade. When compared to last September, claims were down by 11.9 percent from 226.

“The county continues to head in the right direction,” Butler said.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 7,571 new active job postings in the Rockdale County area for September.