Metro Atlanta unemployment rate falls in July

ATLANTA–The Georgia Department of Labor announced on Thursday, Aug. 21, that the 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.5% in July, down one-tenth from a revised 3.6% in June. A year ago, the rate was 3.7%. 

“Our greatest strength is our people and the businesses that call Georgia home,” said Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “July’s unemployment numbers show progress across most metro areas, and even where there are slight upticks, year-over-year trends reflect our resilience. By investing in our workforce and supporting a strong environment for business, Georgia will continue to win and drive economic growth for all Georgians.”

The labor force in Atlanta decreased by 2,329 to 3,309,526, down 22,853 from July 2024.

The number of employed increased by 1,128 to 3,194,548 in July, down 12,962 from a year ago.

In July, the number of unemployed fell by 3,457 to 114,978, a decrease of 9,891 over the past year. 

Atlanta ended July with 3,123,900 jobs, down 8,100 from the previous month and up 21,200 from a year ago.

Over the month, jobs were up in professional, scientific, and technical services, 2,200; health care and social assistance, 2,000; construction, 1,100; finance and insurance, 800; and durable goods manufacturing, 700.

Jobs were down over the month in local government, 6,200; accommodation and food services, 1,800; retail trade, 1,500; information, 1,300; and private educational services, 1,200. 

The industries with the most job gains over the year are health care and social assistance, 20,900; local government, 9,200; private educational services, 3,300; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 1,800; and finance and insurance, 1,300.

Jobs were down over the year in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 7,000; construction, 4,100; wholesale trade, 3,500; retail trade, 2,100; and other services, 1,500.

In July, initial unemployment claims increased by 691 from the previous month to 12,498. Claims were down by 1,494 from July of the previous year.