The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.3% in December, down from a revised 3.9% in November. A year ago, the rate was 3.3%.

“In December, more Georgians were working and unemployment dropped across every area in the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Looking ahead in 2026, we remain committed to creating pathways to in-demand careers, supporting businesses with the talent they need, and making sure every Georgian can turn these employment gains into meaningful opportunity.” 

The labor force in Atlanta increased by 11,854 to 3,313,352 and was up 14,996 from December 2024.

The number of employed increased by 31,509 to 3,203, 226, and was up by 13,313 from a year ago.

In December, the number of unemployed decreased by 19,655 to 110,126, an increase of 1,683 over the past year.

Atlanta ended December with 3,152,000 jobs, up 6,000 from the previous month and down 300 from a year ago.

Over the month, jobs were up in retail trade, 3,800; transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 2,300; professional and technical services, 2,100; administrative and support services, 1,700; and durable goods manufacturing, 800.

Jobs were down over the month in accommodation and food services, 3,100; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 1,500; local government, 1,000; state government, 900; and private educational services; 500.

Industries with the most over the year job gains were health care and social assistance, 15,800; administrative and support services, 5,800; private educational services, 4,000; durable goods manufacturing, 2,400; and management of companies and enterprises, 2,300.

Jobs were down over the year in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 8,500; federal government, 6,400; wholesale trade, 4,900; retail trade, 3,500; and telecommunications, 1,900.

In December, initial unemployment claims increased by 2,465 from the previous month to 12,098. Claims were down by 1,026 from December of the previous year.