The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in December, down two-tenths from a revised 3.5 percent in November.  A year ago, the rate was 2.9 percent.

“Georgia means business,” said GDOL Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. “With historic job growth nearing 5 million and unemployment rates outperforming the national average, Georgia is well on the way to making history. By expanding opportunities for all Georgians and attracting top-tier companies to every corner of the state, our story continues to be one of resilience and sustained economic success for the people and businesses that call the Peach State home.”

The labor force decreased in Atlanta by 3,506 and ended the month with 3,257,274. This number increased by 23,474 when compared to December 2023.

The number of employed increased by 3,115 to 3,148,495 in December. From December 2023 to December 2024, the number of employed was up by 7,077.

The number of unemployed was down by 6,621 to 108,779 in December. From December 2023 to December 2024, the number of unemployed was up by 16,397.

Atlanta ended December with 3,124,300, jobs, an all-time high. Jobs were up 11,400 over-the-month and up 28,800 over the year.

Over-the-month, jobs were up in Retail Trade, 6,100, Information, which includes Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, 3,900, Health Care and Social Assistance, 2,800, Transportation and Warehousing, 1,500, and Accommodation and Food Services, 1,200.

Jobs were down over-the-month in Private Educational Services, -2,700, Local Government, -2,600, and State Government, -1,100. Jobs were at an all-time high in Private Education and Health Services, 436,300, and Financial Activities, 211,600.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 19,300, Accommodation and Food Services, 11,500, Local Government, 5,000, Federal Government, 2,700, and Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 2,500.

Jobs were down over-the-year in Durable Goods Manufacturing, -5,700, Wholesale Trade, -5,700, Administrative and Support Services, -4,900, Transportation and Warehousing, -3,500, and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, -1,500.

In December, initial claims were up by 2,835 over-the-month to 13,153 and were up by 1,557 over-the-year.