The Augusta Labor Market Index remained unchanged in July from June. It is 1.0 percent higher than a year ago.
As previously reported in this column, employment fell in July, but other measures of labor market activity remained strong. Average weekly earnings rose by 2.6 percent ($30.70) over the month, and average weekly hours worked increased by 36 minutes. The unemployment rate remained at 4.2% and the labor force fell by just 0.1 percent.
Since the beginning of the year, the Augusta LMI has increased by 0.5 percent, faster than Georgia at 0.4 percent. Rome is the fastest-growing labor market so far in 2025, growing 1.2 percent. Strong growth was also seen in Albany, Athens, Hinesville, and Savannah. Worryingly, four labor markets have seen contractions since the beginning of the year: Brunswick, Columbus, Dalton, and Macon.
Rome saw improvements in all the labor market components since the beginning of the year. Columbus saw employment rise and the unemployment rate decline, but other components moved adversely. Average weekly earnings are $140 less (-14%) than at the turn of the year, and average hours worked have fallen by almost 2 ½ hours.
