GDOL officials give Georgia unemployment and number employed for November

Initial claims for Unemployment was down slightly but number employed was also down in local commissions

The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in November, unchanged from a revised 3.5 percent in October. A year ago, the rate was 2.8 percent.

“Georgia proves that smart leadership and bold policies drive economic success,” GDOL Emergency Interim Successor Louis DeBroux said in a press release. “While other states struggle with over-regulation and economic uncertainty, Georgia’s economy is thriving—job numbers are up in 12 regions, unemployment claims are down across the board, and businesses continue to choose our state as the best place to grow and invest. These results don’t happen by accident; they are the product of strong fiscal policies and a commitment to empowering job creators and hardworking Georgians. As we close out the year, Georgia remains a perennial leader in opportunity, innovation, and prosperity.”

The labor force decreased in Atlanta by 9,721 and ended the month with 3,258,351. This number increased by 11,795 when compared to November 2023.

The number of employed decreased by 11,662 to 3,142,894 in November. From November 2023 to November 2024, the number of employed was down by -11,215.

The number of unemployed was up by 1,941 to 115,457 in November. From November 2023 to November 2024, the number of unemployed was up by 23,010.

Atlanta ended November with 3,112,100 jobs, an all-time high. Jobs were up 9,600 over-the-month and up 12,900 over the year. 

Over-the-month, jobs were up in Retail Trade, 5,300, Transportation and Warehousing, 3,600, Health Care and Social Assistance, 2,100, Local Government, 1,700, and Finance and Insurance, 1,100. Jobs were down over-the-month in Accommodation and Food Services, -2,700, Administrative and Support Services, -1,500, and Specialty Trade Contractors, -1,200. Jobs were at an all-time high in Private Education and Health Services, 435,900, and Government, 368,300.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 15,600, Accommodation and Food Services, 8,600, Local Government, 7,500, Finance and Insurance, 2,000, and Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 2,000.

Jobs were down over-the-year in Administrative and Support Services, -11,700, Wholesale Trade, -5,300, Durable Goods Manufacturing, -3,800, Transportation and Warehousing, -3,400, and Retail Trade, -1,900.

In November, initial claims were down by 1,866 over-the-month to 10,318 and were down by 445 over-the-year.

Figures for the commissions that include Gwinnett and Walton Counties are detailed below.

Atlanta Regional Commission includes the counties of Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale Counties.

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.6 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.9 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was down 8,049 over-the-month and up 9,331 over-the-year, to 2,688,656. 
• The number of employed was down 9,761 over-the-month and down 9,430 over-the-year, to 2,593,047.
• Initial claims were down 1,583 over-the-month and down 248 over-the-year, to 8,268. 

Northeast Georgia Regional Commission includes the counties of Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton Counties.

• The unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 3.5 percent over-the-month, the rate was 2.6 percent one year ago. 
• The labor force was down 1,564 over-the-month and up 5,207 over-the-year, to 446,503. 
• The number of employed was down 1,573 over-the-month and up 1,294 over-the-year, to 431,046.
• Initial claims were down 181 over-the-month and down 2,658 over-the-year, to 2,255.