Walker County Unemployment Holds at 3.0%; Catoosa Posts Region’s Lowest Rate
LAFAYETTE, Ga. — Walker County’s unemployment rate remained low at 3.0 percent in the latest report from the Georgia Department of Labor, while neighboring Catoosa County recorded the lowest unemployment rate in Northwest Georgia at 2.8 percent.
Dade County also continued to post a strong labor market with an unemployment rate of 2.9 percent, remaining below both the regional and state averages.
Area unemployment rates include:
- Catoosa County: 2.8% (Lowest in Northwest Georgia, tied with Gordon County)
- Gordon County: 2.8%
- Dade County: 2.9%
- Walker County: 3.0%
- Whitfield County: 3.3%
- Chattooga County: 3.8%
Across Northwest Georgia, the unemployment rate increased four-tenths of a percentage point to 3.4 percent, matching the rate from one year ago.
Despite the slight increase in unemployment, the region’s workforce continued to grow. The Northwest Georgia labor force reached an all-time high of 460,744 workers, an increase of 882 people over the month and 7,391 more than a year ago.
The number of employed residents totaled 445,054, down 994 from the previous month but still 7,254 higher than one year ago, reflecting continued long-term job growth.
Initial unemployment claims increased to 1,808, up 619 over the month, but remained 57 claims lower than the same period last year.
The latest report shows that Catoosa County continues to lead the region with the lowest unemployment rate, while Walker and Dade counties remain among Northwest Georgia’s strongest labor markets, all posting unemployment rates well below the regional average of 3.4 percent.