The Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the highest employment growth of all Georgia metro areas in 2025.
Did that trend continue from January to June of this year?
The answer is a resounding “no.”
In the first six months of 2026, employment in Augusta fell by 300 to 253,900 in June.
The state of Georgia, including non-metro areas, added 5,800 jobs so far this year, and 5,200 of them were in Atlanta. Other metro areas to add jobs were Athens and Columbus, both +700, while Valdosta added 600. Warner Robins, Gainesville, and Albany lost more jobs than Augusta.
In percentage terms, to account for the size of the metro area, Valdosta, Columbus, and Athens also had the largest growth in the first six months of 2026. Hinesville and Albany had the largest percentage loss.
After losing jobs in 2025, Atlanta has returned to be the jobs engine of the state. 63% of jobs in the state are in Atlanta, up from 54% in 1990. In Augusta, the share of statewide jobs has fallen from 6.4% to 5.1%, the largest percentage point drop of all MSAs.
