Georgia 
 
Department of Labor 
 
NEWS RELEASE 
 
SUITE 642 
 
 
 
(404) 232-3685 
 
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. 
 
 
 
ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751 
 
 
 
FAX (404) 657-9996 
 
 Communications@dol.state.ga.us 
 
Michael Thurmond 
Commissioner 
 
Sam Hall 
Director of Communications 
 
April 24, 2008....................................................... . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
Metro Athens' unemployment rate unchanged in March 
 
ATLANTA  The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the unemployment rate in the metro Athens area was unchanged at 4.3 percent from February to March. But, the rate is up nine-tenths of one percent over the year, from 3.4 percent in March of 2007. 
 
Meanwhile, the state's unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3 percent from February to March. But, the rate is up 1.2 percent over the year, from 4.1 percent in March of 2007. 
 
The current state rate is one-tenth of one percent higher than the U.S. unadjusted rate of 5.2 percent. 
 
While the state rate was unchanged, preliminary data from February to March show Georgia gained 10,200 payroll jobs, an increase of two-tenths of one percent. In metro Athens, the number of jobs was down 200, or two-tenths of one percent, from 82,900 to 82,700. 
 
Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us. 
 
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685. TABLE AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm 
 
CY-08-154