Imagine living in a city where over 50% of those seeking employment were unable to do so. where the poverty rate exceeded 40% and the average annual income was less than $20,000? Were there were few chances and a poor level of education?
For the people who live in Morgan, a tiny Georgian city with the highest unemployment rate in the state, this is not a theoretical situation but rather their everyday existence.
This essay will examine the reasons behind Morgan’s economic woes and draw comparisons with other Georgian cities with dissimilar labor markets.
Morgan: City With the Highest Unemployment Rate in Georgia
According to a recent Zip Atlas analysis, the city with the highest unemployment rate in Georgia is Morgan, a small city in Calhoun County. According to the survey, which evaluated Georgian cities according to their unemployment rates, as of December 2023, Morgan had an astonishing 43.2% of its labor force unemployed.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is more than 38 percentage points higher than both the state average of 4.9% and the national average of 5.0%.
With just 1,861 residents, Morgan is among Georgia’s poorest cities, with a 40.6% poverty rate and a median household income of $18,750. With only 63.9% of the population having a high school degree or above and 7.7% having a bachelor’s degree or above, the city likewise has low levels of educational achievement.
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, and mining are the primary industries in the city, employing 28.6% of the workforce. Nevertheless, these industries are also susceptible to market shifts, natural calamities, and seasonal variations, all of which could raise the unemployment rate.
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Other Georgia Cities With the Highest Unemployment Rate
The Zip Atlas report also outlined the top nine cities in Georgia with the highest unemployment rates. These include Wildwood (51.6%), Shellman (27.6%), Sasser (25.6%), Georgetown-Quitman County Unified Government (25.1%), Hiltonia (24.4%), Warwick (22.6%), Adrian (22.5%), Meansville (22.4%), and Summertown (21.3%).
These cities are predominantly rural, characterized by low population density, limited income, lower educational attainment, and elevated poverty levels. Additionally, they grapple with various challenges such as insufficient infrastructure, limited access to healthcare, and a need for economic diversification.
Read More: This North Carolina City Has Been Named as the Highest Unemployment Rate in the State
Georgia Cities With the Lowest Unemployment Rate
The report also pointed out the Georgia cities with the lowest unemployment rates, namely Fort Stewart (0.0%), Skidaway Island (0.8%), Tybee Island (1.0%), Braselton (1.3%), and Peachtree City (1.4%).
These cities are primarily suburban, characterized by high population density, elevated income levels, advanced educational opportunities, and low poverty rates. Additionally, they enjoy close proximity to major metropolitan areas like Savannah, Atlanta, and Augusta, providing residents with increased job prospects, services, and amenities.
The Zip Atlas report relies on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, offering estimates on various social, economic, and demographic aspects of the population.
Read More: This Florida City Has Been Named as the Highest Unemployment Rate in the State
To Conclude
Morgan’s narrative stands out starkly amid the varied labor markets of Georgia. While certain cities thrive with low unemployment and high incomes, Morgan contends with persistent economic hardship. It is imperative to comprehend the underlying reasons for this divergence to pave the way forward.
Investing in education and skills training programs can provide residents with the necessary tools to navigate a changing job market. Encouraging and facilitating the growth of new industries beyond agriculture can diversify the economy and generate additional job opportunities.
However, confronting these challenges requires collaboration beyond the city boundaries. State and federal resources and support are vital for providing funding, expertise, and infrastructure development.
Collaborating with neighboring communities and leveraging their strengths can also open up opportunities for regional economic growth.
