Labor Market

The Georgia Department of Labor maintains a State Employment Security Office in Griffin. Currently, the office has on file over 10,000 active applicants, of which more than 3,500 are within the age group of greatest ability (22-39).

Why is Griffin-Spalding home to such luminaries as Caterpillar and Hoshizaki, as well as garnering the interest of high-tech corporations? We know that training and education are key components of the success of any firm, be it manufacturing, technological or in the realm of research and development. Fortunately, our location is such that employers have easy access to Griffin Technical College, Georgia Tech, Clayton College and State University, Georgia State College, and so many other institutions…all within driving distance, and several of which perform training on site for qualified industries!

Labor Force

 In July 2025, according to Georgia Department of Labor preliminary estimates, there were 512,671 people in the civilian labor force in the Spalding County Labor Drawing Area. 492,652 are employed and 20,019 unemployed with an unemployment rate of 3.8%. This compares with Georgia’s unemployment rate of 3.6% for the same month.

Spalding County manufacturers have received a good response when existing employees were asked to recommend people to apply for available jobs. They have found that they cannot adequately process and interview the large number of applicants who respond. Some plants have signs stating that applications are only taken on certain days of the week, or that applicants should apply at the Griffin office of the Georgia Department of Labor.

Major segments of the labor pool, in addition to currently unemployed workers with industrial experience, include recent high school and vocational school graduates, school dropouts and returnees from military service. In addition, potential job seekers include: workers now commuting out of Spalding County but wanting comparable employment near their homes, housewives who would work if suitable nearby jobs were available and workers who are employed in fast food restaurants, other service jobs or are otherwise currently under-employed for their skill level.

Civilian Labor Force Estimates
July 2025 (Preliminary)
Labor Drawing Area		Labor Force		Employed		Unemployed		Rate
SPALDING COUNTY		31,441		30,206		1,235		3.9%
Butts County		11,312		10,937		375		3.3%
Clayton County		147,275		140,661		6,614		4.5%
Coweta County		80,153		77,541		2,612		3.3%
Fayette County		59,338		57,269		2,069		3.5%
Henry County		130,612		125,504		5,108		3.9%
Lamar County		7,716		7,345		371		4.8%
Meriwether County		8,545		8,160		385		4.5%
Monroe County		13,894		13,457		437		3.1%
Pike County		9,593		9,276		317		3.3%
Upson County		12,792		12,296		496		3.9%
AREA TOTAL		512, 671		492,652		20,019		3.8%
GEORGIA TOTAL		5,385,528		5,190,979		194,549		3.6%