Metro Atlanta and NE Georgia region unemployment rate falls in September

The Georgia Department of Labor has announced that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.4% in September, down one-tenth from a revised 3.5% in August. A year ago, the rate was 3.4%.

“Unemployment in Georgia dropped across nearly every region in September,” Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said in a press release. “As we approach the end of the year, we’re staying focused on keeping workers ready, businesses strong, and opportunity growing across the state.”

The labor force in Atlanta increased by 19,046 to 3,310,045, down 1,251 from September 2024.

The number of employed increased by 22,007 to 3,198,417 in September, down 1,556 from a year ago.

In September, the number of unemployed fell by 2,961 to 111,628, an increase of 305 over the past year.

Atlanta ended September with 3,120,300 jobs, down 3,100 from the previous month and up 13,800 from a year ago.

Over the month, jobs were up in private educational services, 2,800; state government, 2,400; specialty trade contractors, 1,000; other services, 500; and wholesale trade, 400.

Jobs were down over the month in health care and social assistance, 1,700; accommodation and food services, 1,100; administrative and support services, 1,000; local government, 800; and federal government, 700. 

The industries with the most job gains over the year are health care and social assistance, 16,400; accommodation and food services, 3,400; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 2,400; local government, 2,400; and private educational services, 2,200.

Jobs were down over the year in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 5,100; specialty trade contractors, 3,300; federal government, 2,400; wholesale trade, 2,300; and telecommunications, 1,600.

In September, initial unemployment claims decreased by 267 from the previous month to 10,813. Claims were down by 15 from September of the previous year.

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

• The unemployment rate was down one-tenth to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.4% one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 15,244 over-the-month and down 1,077 over-the-year, to 2,708,519. 
• The number of employed was up 17,307 over-the-month and down 1,274 over-the-year, to 2,616,474.
• Initial claims were down 225 over-the-month and up 6 over-the-year, to 9,034.
  

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

• The unemployment rate was down two-tenths to 3.2% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago. 
• The labor force was up 2,691 over-the-month and down 716 over-the-year, to 350,589.
• The number of employed was up 3,173 over-the-month and down 423 over-the-year, to 339,273.
• Initial claims were down 98 over-the-month and down 203 over-the-year, to 941.