Metro Atlanta’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.8 percent from June to July. In July 2016, the rate was 5.4 percent.

“While Metro Atlanta’s rate was unchanged, 15,751 more people went back to work,” said Commissioner Mark Butler. “It’s great to see Atlanta’s economy growing. Since July 2016, we’ve gained 85,300 jobs, a 3.2 percent growth rate.”

Metro Atlanta’s over-the-year job growth came in professional and business services, 33,700; leisure and hospitality, 15,300; education and health services, 10,600; trade, transportation and warehousing, 6,600; financial activities, 6,300; construction, 4,100; information services, 3,600; other services such as repair, maintenance, personal and laundry services, 2,600; and government, 2,500. Manufacturing lost 100 jobs.   

From June to July, Metro Atlanta lost 16,700, a 0.6 percent decline, which decreased the total number of jobs to 2,742,800.

“In June, Metro Atlanta added jobs,” said Commissioner Butler. “Due to the fact that a lot of summer jobs are held by students, it’s not surprising to see the July decline in jobs, especially with the earlier school start dates this year.”

Unemployment claims were down by 243, or 1.8 percent, to 12,981. Claims were down in construction. Over the year, claims were down by 2,488, or 16.1 percent, from 15,469 in July 2016.

The total number of employed residents in Metro Atlanta rose by 15,751 to 2,904,285 from June to July.

“There were 103,939 more Metro Atlanta residents employed than in July 2016,” said Commissioner Butler. “I’m pleased to see we have more people in Atlanta employed and contributing to Georgia’s continued environment of economic opportunity.”

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 46,763 new active job postings in Atlanta for July.