Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 2.5 percent in September, down five-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.3 percent. 

"We continue to see a steady rise in job creation and demand by employers to fill open positions,” said Commissioner Mark Butler. “This strong growth has led to Georgia having the fewest unemployed residents in over 20 years." 

The labor force increased in Atlanta by 12,902 and ended the month with 3,205,897. This number increased 68,037 when compared to September 2021. 

The number of employed increased 26,959 to 3,124,626 in September from August. From September 2021 to September 2022, the number of employed was up 91,423.

The number of unemployed was down 14,057 to 81,271 in September. From September 2021 to September 2022, the number of unemployed was down 23,386.

Atlanta ended September with 2,996,300 jobs. Jobs were up 6,600 (0.2%) over the month and up 162,300 (5.7%) over the year. Job numbers were at an all-time high in Education and Health Services, 392,300, Financial Activities, 198,000, and Information, 123,400.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included State Government, 5,400, Local Government, 2,100, Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing, 1,800, Transportation and Warehousing, 1,400, and Wholesale Trade, 1,100.

The number of initial unemployment claims went down by 21 percent in Atlanta in September. When compared to last September, claims were down by about 21 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed about 86,000 active job postings in metro Atlanta for September.