Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent in November, down three-tenths from a revised 3.1 percent in November. A year ago, the rate was 2.6 percent. 

“Georgia's success story is nothing short of phenomenal, boasting a blockbuster year with over 5.1 million hardworking Georgians driving our state forward," said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. "As existing businesses scale new heights and a steady influx of new enterprises proudly choose Georgia as their home, the Peach State appears headed toward continued economic success.” 

The labor force decreased in Atlanta by 15,762 and ended the month with 3,258,356. This number increased by 58,436 when compared to December 2022.

The number of employed decreased by 8,328 to 3,165,563 in December.  From December 2022 to December 2023, the number of employed was up by 50,018.

The number of unemployed was down by 7,424 to 92,793 in December. From December 2022 to December 2023, the number of unemployed was up by 8,418.

Atlanta ended December with 3,123,200 jobs. Jobs were down 6,200 (-0.2%) over the month and up 72,000 (2.4%) over the year.  

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 22,700, Accommodation and Food Services, 16,800, Local Government, 6,500, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 6,200, and Management of Companies and Enterprises, 5,500.

Over the year, jobs were down in Administrative and Support Services, -9,700, Transportation and Warehousing, -4,700, Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, -2,400, Telecommunications, -1,900, and Durable Goods Manufacturing, -1,300.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included Retail Trade, 3,300, Finance and Insurance, 2,000, Wholesale Trade, 1,600, Durable Goods Manufacturing, 1,100, and Management of Companies and Enterprises, 500.

Jobs were down in Administrative and Support Services, -7,200, Accommodation and Food Services, -3,600, Personal Services, -1,200, Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, -900, and Health Care and Social Assistance, -900.

Job numbers were at an all-time high in Trade and Transportation, 670,600, Government, 354,900, Financial Activities, 213,600, and Construction, 145,900.

The number of initial unemployment claims went up by 833 (8%) over-the-month to 11,596 in December. Initial claims were up by 355 (3%) over-the-year.