Walker County’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.1% in December, continuing a downward trend and signaling steady labor market conditions heading into the new year.
According to data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor, Walker County’s December rate was down from 3.6% in November. The figure is slightly higher than a year ago, when unemployment stood at 2.8% in December 2024, but remains low by historical standards.
Elsewhere across Northwest Georgia, unemployment also declined in December, with the region posting some of its strongest labor figures on record. Chattooga County saw its unemployment rate fall from 4.7% in November to 4% in December, an improvement from December 2024 when the rate exceeded 5%. Catoosa County reported an unemployment rate of 2.9% last month, while Dade County recorded a rate of 3.1%.
Overall, Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate dropped eight-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 3.1%, down from 3.6% a year earlier. The region’s labor force grew by 885 in December and by 3,180 over the year, reaching an all-time high of 459,957. Employment also hit a record level, rising by 4,207 over the month and by 5,363 over the year to 445,548.
Initial unemployment claims in Northwest Georgia totaled 7,613 in December, up 5,227 from November and 568 higher than the same month last year.
Statewide, unemployment declined across all 12 of Georgia’s regional commissions in December. “In December, more Georgians were working and unemployment dropped across every area in the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Looking ahead in 2026, we remain committed to creating pathways to in-demand careers, supporting businesses with the talent they need, and making sure every Georgian can turn these employment gains into meaningful opportunity.”
In the Dalton metropolitan area, which includes Whitfield and Murray counties, the unemployment rate fell nine-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 3.5%. One year earlier, the rate stood at 6.1%. The metro area’s labor force edged up to 68,064, though it was down 1,180 compared to December 2024.
Dalton recorded 65,669 employed residents in December, an increase of 598 from November and 674 over the year. The area ended the month with 69,500 jobs, down 200 over the month and unchanged from a year ago. Initial unemployment claims rose to 4,323, up 3,428 from November and 919 more than December 2024.