Metro Atlanta and northeast Georgia sees December drop in unemployment rate

The Georgia Department of Labor announced last week that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.3% in December, down from a revised 3.9% in November. A year ago, the rate was 3.3%.

“In December, more Georgians were working and unemployment dropped across every area in the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Looking ahead in 2026, we remain committed to creating pathways to in-demand careers, supporting businesses with the talent they need, and making sure every Georgian can turn these employment gains into meaningful opportunity.” 

The labor force in Atlanta increased by 11,854 to 3,313,352 and was up 14,996 from December 2024. 

The number of employed increased by 31,509 to 3,203, 226, and was up by 13,313 from a year ago.

In December, the number of unemployed decreased by 19,655 to 110,126, an increase of 1,683 over the past year.

Atlanta ended December with 3,152,000 jobs, up 6,000 from the previous month and down 300 from a year ago.

Over the month, jobs were up in retail trade, 3,800; transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 2,300; professional and technical services, 2,100; administrative and support services, 1,700; and durable goods manufacturing, 800.

Jobs were down over the month in accommodation and food services, 3,100; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 1,500; local government, 1,000; state government, 900; and private educational services; 500.

Industries with the most over the year job gains were health care and social assistance, 15,800; administrative and support services, 5,800; private educational services, 4,000; durable goods manufacturing, 2,400; and management of companies and enterprises, 2,300.

Jobs were down over the year in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 8,500; federal government, 6,400; wholesale trade, 4,900; retail trade, 3,500; and telecommunications, 1,900.

In December, initial unemployment claims increased by 2,465 from the previous month to 12,098. Claims were down by 1,026 from December of the previous year.

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that unemployment dropped across Georgia’s 12 regional commissions in December.

“In December, more Georgians were working and unemployment dropped across every area in the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Looking ahead in 2026, we remain committed to creating pathways to in-demand careers, supporting businesses with the talent they need, and making sure every Georgian can turn these employment gains into meaningful opportunity.”

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 five-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month. The rate was 3.3% one year ago.
• The labor force was up 9,780 over-the-month and up 11,312 over-the-year, to 2,709,296.
• The number of employed was up 25,479 over-the-month and up 9,839 over-the-year, to 2,618,396.
• Initial claims were up 1,674 over-the-month and down 699 over-the-year, to 9,421.

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 seven-tenths to 3.1% over-the-month. The rate was 3.1% one year ago.
• The labor force was up 382 over-the-month and up 3,538 over-the-year, to 352,618, an all-time high.
• The number of employed was up 2,605 over-the-month and up 3,185 over-the-year, to 341,544.
• Initial claims were up 289 over-the-month and down 629 over-the-year, to 993.