Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in July, down one-tenth of a percent from a revised 3.9 percent in June. A year ago, the rate was 3.1 percent.

“With over 5 million Georgians ready to work, our mission is clear: to turn this untapped potential into real, meaningful job opportunities,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “To build a stronger, more resilient Georgia for tomorrow, we must partner with businesses today to create jobs, leverage the power of our skilled workforce, and keep unemployment low.”

The labor force increased in Atlanta by 2,546 and ended the month with 3,301,874, an all-time high. This number increased by 57,947 when compared to July 2023.

The number of employed increased by 6,747 to 3,177,497 in July. From July 2023 to July 2024, the number of employed was up by 35,474.

The number of unemployed was down by 4,201 to 124,377 in July. From July 2023 to July 2024, the number of unemployed was up by 22,473.

Atlanta ended July with 3,092,100 jobs. Jobs were down 6,100 over-the-month and up 51,200 over the year.

Over-the-month, Jobs were up in Accommodation and Food Services, 5,500; Finance and Insurance, 800; Specialty Trade Contractors, 600; Repair and Maintenance, 500; and Federal Government, 400. Jobs were down in Local Government, -6,200; Retail Trade, -2,100; and Private Educational Services, -1,200. Jobs were at an all-time high in Leisure and Hospitality, 337,500; Financial Activities, 210,500; and Other Services, 108,500.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Accommodation and Food Services, 18,700; Health Care and Social Assistance, 14,800; Local Government, 10,600; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 3,700; and Finance and Insurance, 3,300. Jobs were down in Telecommunications, -4,200; Administrative and Support Services, -3,300; and Private Educational Services, -2,100.

In July, initial claims were up by 1,333 over-the-month to 14,006 and were down by 3,846 over-the-year.