Unemployment rose across Georgia’s Regional Commissions in January

The Georgia Department of Labor announced that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.6% in January, up from a revised 3.3% in December. A year ago, the rate was 3.4%. January’s increases in unemployment rates across the state reflect historical patterns as many seasonal and holiday-related positions come to an end. 

“Georgia’s diversified economy is one of our greatest competitive advantages,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “That mix of industries and talent allows us to respond quickly to shifting workforce demands across sectors while continuing to expand opportunity for hardworking Georgians — a strength that helps Georgia remain a top state for business and talent.” 

The labor force in Atlanta decreased by 16,263 to 3,306,682 and was up 629 over the past 12 months.

The number of employed decreased by 24,150 to 3,188,394 and was down 6,119 from a year ago.

The number of unemployed increased by 7,887 to 118,288, an increase of 6,748 over the past year.

Atlanta ended January with 3,088,800 jobs, down 50,300 from the previous month and up 3,400 from a year ago.

Over the month, there were no job gains in major industries in the Atlanta MSA. Jobs declined in retail trade, 10,400; transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 8,000; administrative and support services, 5,200; private educational services, 4,000; and specialty trade contractors, 2,900.

Industries with the most over the year job gains were health care and social assistance, 16,800; accommodation and food services, 3,900; specialty trade contractors, 2,800; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 2,300; and administrative and support services, 2,100.

Jobs were down over the year in federal government, 7,200; retail trade, 3,200; wholesale trade, 2,600; transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 2,500; and non-durable goods manufacturing, 2,500.

In January, initial unemployment claims increased by 1,068 from the previous month to 13,166 and were down 1,722 from January of the previous year.

The unemployment rose across Georgia’s 12 regional commissions in January.

January’s increases in unemployment rates across the state reflect historical patterns as many seasonal and holiday-related positions come to an end. 


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

• The unemployment rate was up two-tenths to 3.6% over-the-month, the rate was 3.4% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 12,623 over-the-month and down 20 over-the-year, to 2,699,878.
• The number of employed was down 19,002 over-the-month and down 5,881 over-the-year, to 2,602,438.
• Initial claims were up 1,278 over-the-month and down 1,344 over-the-year, to 10,699.

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

• The unemployment rate was up three-tenths to 3.4% over-the-month, the rate was 3.3% one year ago.
• The labor force was down 1,391 over-the-month and up 1,208 over-the-year, to 355,527.
• The number of employed was down 2,207 over-the-month and up 874 over-the-year, to 343,563.
• Initial claims were up 269 over-the-month and down 145 over-the-year, to 1,262.