Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 4.0 percent in August, up two-tenths of a percent from a revised 3.8 percent in July. A year ago, the rate was 3.5 percent.

“Innovation drives opportunity, and that is exactly why Georgia has secured the top spot for business for 11 years running,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “With statewide unemployment on the rise over the past four months, it’s crucial that we strengthen our efforts to connect more Georgians with jobs, remove barriers to employment, and foster an environment where Georgia businesses and families can thrive together.”

The labor force decreased in Atlanta by 30,742 and ended the month with 3,269,266. This number increased by 30,792 when compared to August 2023.

The number of employed decreased by 38,077 to 3,137,542 in August. From August 2023 to August 2024, the number of employed was up by 13,474.

The number of unemployed was up by 7,355 to 131,724 in August. From August 2023 to August 2024, the number of unemployed was up by 17,318.

Atlanta ended August with 3,095,900 jobs. Jobs were up 8,300 over-the-month and up 41,100 over the year.

Over-the-month, jobs were up in Local Government, 9,000; Health Care and Social Assistance, 5,800; Private Educational Services, 3,500; State Government, 2,400; and Specialty Trade Contractors, 1,000. Jobs were down in Accommodation and Food Services, -4,900; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, -3,600; Retail Trade, -3,200; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, -1,600; and Repair and Maintenance, -1,600.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 17,100; Accommodation and Food Services, 11,300; Local Government, 8,100; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 2,600; and State Government, 2,600.
Jobs were down in Administrative and Support Services, -6,800; Wholesale Trade, -4,900; Information, -3,600; Durable Goods Manufacturing, -1,500; and Retail Trade, -1,100.

In August, initial claims were down by 304 over-the-month to 13,702 and were down by 1,430 over-the-year.