Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in January, up six-tenths from a revised 2.6 percent in December. A year ago, the rate was 3.3 percent. Due to seasonal factors from December to January, data that is not seasonally adjusted typically show an increase in unemployment – a seasonal trend that occurs each year.

“Despite a nationwide pandemic and challenging economic times, continued investments in Georgia’s labor force and thriving business community have kept our economy strong,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “As labor commissioner, it is my No. 1 priority to help more Georgians get back to work and fill the jobs that our businesses need.”

The labor force increased in Atlanta by 12,564 and ended the month at 3,212,484. This number increased by 41,610 when compared to January 2022.

The number of employed decreased from 6,051 to 3,109,494 in January from December. From January 2022 to January 2023, the number of employed was up by 44,086.

The number of unemployed was up by 18,615 to 102,990 in January. From January 2022 to January 2023, the number of unemployed was down by 2,476.

Atlanta ended December with 3,018,200 jobs. Jobs were down 30,100 (-1.0%) over the month and up 117,500 (4.3%) over the year. Jobs were up in Management of Companies and Enterprises, 2,000; Health Care and Social Assistance, 1,100; and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 600.

From December to January of each year, area job figures that are not seasonally adjusted typically decline in seasonal sectors such as Trade and Transportation, Administrative and Support Services, and Leisure and Hospitality. The sectors with the most over-the-month job loss included Retail Trade, - 9,600; Transportation and Warehousing, - 5,200; Administrative and Support Services, - 4,700; Local Government, - 2,300; Wholesale Trade, - 2,000; and Accommodation and Food Services, -1,800.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 14,500; Computer, Data Processing, and Related Services, 12,600; Accommodation and Food Services, 10,000; Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing, 9,800; and Construction of Buildings, 8,700.

The number of initial unemployment claims went up by 62 percent in Atlanta in January. When compared to last January, claims were up by about 33 percent.