Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Carroll County’s unemployment rate decreased in January.

“In January we saw the rate drop across all regions and counties,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler. “Starting the year off strong with such a positive indicator is promising, especially as we learn to adapt to this everchanging workforce due to COVID.”

In Carroll County, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.5 percentage points, bringing the rate to 4.9 percent. A year ago, the rate was 3.7 percent.

Carroll County ended January with 52,151 employed residents.  The number increased by 22 in January but was down 2,224 as compared to last year.

The labor force decreased in January by 288. The January total was 54,826. That number is down by 1,638 from the total from January 2020.

Initial claims for unemployment increased by 11 percent in January. When compared to last January, claims were up by about 242 percent.

The GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 915 active job postings in Carroll County for January.