The Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) unemployment rate dipped below 4% in July. At 3.9%, this is the lowest unemployment rate since March 2024. With just 39 of 1,000 unemployed, it may cause higher pay and benefits for those looking for work.
While good news, the 3.9% unemployment rate is still the highest of all MSAs in the state of Georgia (Albany, Columbus, and Macon also have 3.9%). The overall unemployment rate in Georgia is 3.3%, and Gainesville has the lowest at 2.7%. Athens, Brunswick, and Savannah have rates below 3%. These rates are historically very low. The average monthly unemployment rate in Augusta is 5.9%, using data back to 1990.
Other labor market indicators had a poor July. The size of the labor force fell, earnings declined, and fewer hours were worked on top of a decline in overall employment. The decline in the labor force helps explain the fall in the unemployment rate, as people have stopped working or looking for work in the local area. The Augusta Labor Market Index (LMI) fell 0.2 percent in July but remains 1 percent higher than July 2025.
Overall, the labor market continues to be weak. This is also seen nationwide: 241 of the 387 metro areas had lower unemployment rates, but only 19 saw employment increase in July. Two Georgia MSAs had some of the largest changes in the country. Athens had the third-largest increase in employment from a year earlier, and Dalton had the largest drop in unemployment from a year earlier.
