The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.5% in August, unchanged from July. A year ago, the rate was 3.9%.

"Georgia is the No. 1 state for business, and we're continuing to build a reputation as the top state for talent," said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "This August, every metro area in Georgia shows lower unemployment than a year ago, and our regional economies continue to see rates decline or hold steady. While month-to-month numbers may fluctuate, the year-over-year progress across all regions proves Georgia's workforce strategy is delivering results for hardworking Georgians."

The labor force in Atlanta decreased by 16,634 to 3,291,270, down 11,815 from August 2024.

The number of employed decreased by 16,424 to 3,176,534 in August, and increased 3,337 from a year ago.

In August, the number of unemployed fell by 210 to 114,736, a decrease of 15,152 over the past year.

Atlanta ended August with 3,124,500 jobs, up 2,500 from the previous month and up 7,300 from a year ago.

Over the month, jobs were up in local government, 7,400; health care and social assistance, 2,600; administrative and support services, 1,900; private educational services, 1,700; and state government, 1,700.

Jobs were down over the month in arts, entertainment, and recreation, 3,000; professional, scientific, and technical services, 2,800; wholesale trade, 1,500; retail trade, 1,400; and accommodation and food services, 1,400.

The industries with the most job gains over the year are health care and social assistance, 15,300; local government, 4,400; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 2,300; accommodation and food services, 2,100; and private educational services, 1,800.

Jobs were down over the year in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 4,400; specialty trade contractors, 3,800; wholesale trade, 3,600; retail trade, 1,700; and professional, scientific, and technical services, 1,600.

In August, initial unemployment claims were down 1,418 from the previous month to 11,080. Claims were down by 2,625 from August of the previous year.