The Georgia Department of Labor announced that the preliminary unemployment rate in metro Atlanta declined to 8 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.2 percent in October. The rate was 8.9 percent in November 2011.
The rate declined because of job growth and fewer new layoffs, represented by first time claims for unemployment insurance benefits.
There was an increase of 12,300 new jobs in metro Atlanta. There were 2,366,500 jobs in November, up five-tenths of a percentage point, from 2,354,200 in October.
The growth came in trade, transportation, and warehousing, up 11,000; financial services, up, 1,600; information services, up 1,500; and education and health care, up 1,100. These gains were strong enough to offset losses in leisure and hospitality, down 3,800, and construction, down 900.
In one year’s time, jobs were up in metro Atlanta by 33,900, or 1.5 percent, from 2,332,600 in November 2011.
There were also 680 fewer new claims for unemployment benefits in construction, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and administrative and support services.
Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 6.2 percent, while metro Dalton had the highest at 11 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 8.5 percent in November, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 8.7 percent in October. The rate was 9.5 percent in November a year ago.
Statewide, there were 3,984,000 jobs in November, up 9,600, or two-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,974,400 in October. Over the year, Georgia gained 61,900 jobs, or 1.6 percent, from 3,922,100 in November 2011.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at dol.state.ga.us
