Atlanta’s March unemployment rate up slightly amid record number of working

ATLANTA, GA–Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said on Thursday (April 25) that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent in March, up just one-tenth from a revised 3.0 percent in February. A year ago, the rate was 3.1 percent.

Meanwhile, the labor force increased in Atlanta by 25,295 and ended the month with 3,292,796, an all-time high. This number increased by 51,560 when compared to March 2023, according to recent stats released.

“Georgia’s job market is red hot with opportunity,” said Thompson. “This continuous growth is a strong indicator that our economic momentum is not slowing down any time soon. Once again, Georgia continues to shatter records in growing businesses statewide and creating jobs for hardworking Georgians.” 

The number of employed increased by 20,524 to 3,189,826 in March, an all-time high. From March 2023 to March 2024, the number of employed was up by 50,594.

The number of unemployed rose by 4,771 to 102,970 in March. From March 2023 to March 2024, the number of unemployed was up by 966.

Atlanta ended March with 3,068,700 jobs. Jobs were up 11,200 (0.4%) over the month and up 30,100 (1.0%) over the year.  

Where are the gains and losses in job sectors?

Over the month, jobs were up in Accommodation and Food Services, 5,100; Administrative and Support Services, 4,600; Health Care and Social Assistance, 3,700; Specialty Trade Contractors, 1,600; and Local Government, 1,500.

Over the year, the sectors with the most job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 19,400; Accommodation and Food Services, 9,500; Local Government, 8,900; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 4,800; and Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, 4,700.

In March, jobs were down in Information, which includes Motion Picture/Sound Recording, -2,400; Wholesale Trade, -900; and Transportation and Warehousing, -900. Jobs were at an all-time high in Government, 359,900.

Over the year, jobs were down in Information, which includes Motion Picture/Sound Recording, -18,100; Administrative and Support Services, -8,700; Wholesale Trade, -5,800; and Transportation and Warehousing, -5,000. 

Unemployment Claims

Initial unemployment claims were down by 2,929 (-22%) over-the-month to 10,592 in March.  Initial claims were down by 1,879 (-15%) over-the-year.

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