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Augusta leaders weigh next steps for economy after recent employment gains
Record job totals and falling unemployment set the stage for choices on how to expand the region's core sectors over the coming years.
How we reported this
Metro Augusta's economy posted record employment of 238,000 in October 2025, with the unemployment rate reaching 3.9 percent in the most recent preliminary data. That figure is down from 4.6 percent the prior period, according to local economic reports. The gains occurred across six straight months even after Hurricane Helene.
The numbers arrive as the Augusta-Richmond County region reports a nominal GDP of approximately $37 billion. Real GDP has grown at roughly 1.5 percent annually, below the national pace of 2.2 percent. Population has risen by 25,619 over five years to 618,000 residents, while jobs have increased by 3,720 and are projected to add another 11,881 in the next five years.
Four sectors shape the outlook
The local economy rests on cybersecurity tied to the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, along with healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and military support services. Health care already accounts for 16.7 percent of employment and educational services for 9.3 percent. These concentrations give planners concrete areas to target when weighing how to capture the projected job growth.
Median household income stands just over $68,000, or about $12,200 below the national median of $75,100. Median home values sit near $207,000. Local development estimates point to $3 billion in new investment and 4,000 new jobs across the CSRA region in manufacturing, data centers, and distribution projects.
Choices ahead for sustained expansion
Officials now face decisions on how to direct that investment while addressing the metro area's 4.5 percent unemployment rate recorded as of February 2025. The Augusta Economic Development Authority and regional partners will need to determine priorities for workforce training and infrastructure that align with the four anchor sectors. Projections for 11,881 additional jobs over five years provide a measurable target for those choices.
Augusta ranked among the Top 100 Best Places to Live in part because of its cost of living and affordable housing. Maintaining those advantages while absorbing new investment will require coordinated steps on permitting, site readiness, and sector-specific support. The next moves will determine whether the recent employment streak translates into longer-term gains tracked against the $37 billion GDP baseline.