Manufacturing Workweek
44.2 ........ 1996-97 -1997-98
43.5
42.8 (a/:)
5
J:
42.1

41.4

40.7

s

0

N

D

Manufacturing Earnings

$565

.........1996-97 -1997-98

$552

F

M

A

M

$539
(/)
~
g $526

$513

$500

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$349

""""1996-97 -1997-98

$343

$337
(/)
~
g $331

$325

$319

s

0

N

D

Georgia Department of Labor

F

M

A

M

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Sep

42.5

42.4

Oct

42.1

42.9

Nov

42.5

42.4

Dec

42.8

42.8

Jan

43.2

42.0

Feb

42.9

41.8

Mar

43.3

41.4

Apr

43.4

41.6

May

42.8

41.8

Jun

42.3

41.7

Jul

42.3

42.0

Aug

42.8

41.2

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

~

~

Sep
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
A

$514.05 514.IO 522.57 541.03 535.75 540.81 544.40 549.47 538.83 526.95 531.21 539.70

$532.31 551.21 539.28 546.51 540.12 530.10 534.15 525.57 541.25 537.12 534.38 536.36

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

1.221:2.a

Sep
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
A

$325.76 324.76 329.49 341.13 336.74 338.85 340.25 342.99 336.56 328.73 330.97 335.63

$330.22 341.10 333.92 338.82 334.33 327.42 329.32 323.43 332.46 329.52 327.44 328.25

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October I998 9

Initial Unemployment Claims
12.8 1996-97 -1997-98
11.2

9.6

8.0

6.4

4.8

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

Continued Unemployment Claims
85.0 ..... 1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQnth
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun Jul Aug
A

122.6:.21
10,568 11,141 9,879 9,844 10,057 9,277 9,221 9,428 9,337 8,597 8,114 9,162

.l.2.2l:2.8.
8,566 7,384 8,025 8,172 7,327 7,310 7,082 6,661 6,191 7,760 7,716 6,233

76.6

68.2

59.8

51.4

43.0

s

0

N

D

Unemployment Rate
4.4
I 1996-97 -1997-98 I

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

.1.221:2_8_

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb
Mar

Apr
May

Jun

Jul

Aug

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

67,871 67,489 69,651 75,712 72,882 68,492 70,291 66,137 61,065 61,461 55,073 55,544

56,364 53,594 54,835 57,384 52,109 55,713 59,009 54,114 54,419 59,080 58,815 60,276

4.1

ffl 3.8

C!l

~ z

g w
w
0.

~ " - 3.5

~

3.2

2.9

s

0

N

D

,.\ ............ .............

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

; ...............

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb
Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

3.9% 3.9% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 3.8% 3.9% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 3.6%

3.6% 3.5% 3.3% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2%

10 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Georgia Department of Labor

Insured Unemployment Rate
1.07 jc.rn 1996-97 -1997-98

0.97

0 :!:':;:-;.,-::,.:;;:.:::;'::;:>.::::::'::;::::::.-:::-:<:::::':)) ,.,.;.;:;';-::,::;}::vfr-#
"' '"'"' c.,,,

1"""". .,., _._

"' 0.87
w
CJ
z~w

...,%.,,, '"'"%.,..

0

w0:

Q. 0.77

__ ..._

"'--- '-......._..
0.67

0.57

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

MARTA Passengers

6.9 """1996-97 -1997-98

.,.. r""'"'"" ("'%...
~

M

J

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Ml2nth 1222::21

Sep

0.93%

Oct

0.95%

Nov

0.94%

Dec

0.95%

Jan

0.91%

Feb

0.88%

Mar

0.85%

Apr

0.83%

May

0.83%

Jun

0.82%

Jul

0.79%

Aug

0.77%

1221:2.a
0.74% 0.71% 0.73% 0.69% 0.71% 0.71% 0.70% 0.71% 0.72% 0.73% 0.76% 0.76%

6.6

6.3
"z '
0
j
~
6.0

5.7

5.4

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

Cobb Community Transit Passengers
135 -"1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

M2n1h 1222::21

1221:2.a

Sep 6,491,000 Oct 6,018,000 Nov 5,914,000 Dec 5,831,000 Jan 6,080,000 Feb 5,930,000 Mar 5,991,000 Apr 6,182,000 May 6,016,000 Jun 5,744,000 Jul 5,797,000 Aug 5,870,000

6,153,000 6,615,000 6,185,000 6,556,000 6,479,000 6,477,000 6,563,000 6,364,000 6,303,000 6,272,000 6,570,000 6,068,000

A

127

119
a"0~'
i!: 111

103

95

s

0

N

D

Georgia Department of Labor

F

M

A

M

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

M2n1h 1222::21 .1.221:2.8.

Sep

127,626

105,903

Oct

122,182

110,092

Nov

111,892

107,461

Dec

110,471

111,394

Jan

108,208

111,406

Feb

103,694

112,271

Mar

105,779

109,523

Apr

109,225

108,560

May

112,864

104,636

Jun

103,575

109,386

Jul

108,873

108,214

Aug

104,742

105,088

A

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 11

Residential Construction
5600

5060
z~ 4520
::J
~
~ 3980

3440

2900

s

0

N

D

Nonresidential Construction

$350
mm>1996-97 -1997-98

F

M

A

M

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
A

3,974 3,485 3,568 4,343 3,825 3,352 3,801 4,863 3,778 4,201 4,357 3,846

122.U.8.
3,848 5,157 4,668 3,789 4,527 4,729 4,730 4,517 4,371 4,288 4,419 4,739

$304

$258 ~ 0
3 $212
i
$166

$120

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

Deflated Nonresidential Construction
$300
,mm1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Sep $182,500,000 $192,700,000

Oct 238,200,000 309,400,000

Nov 237,300,000 306,600,000

Dec 213,100,000 252,300,000

Jan

197,400,000 269,000,000

Feb 279,600,000 213,100,000

Mar 168,100,000 260,000,000

Apr 225,000,000 220,700,000

May 250,100,000 239,200,000

Jun 243,300,000 209,300,000

Jul

290,600,000 170,000,000

Aug 178,000,000 290,200,000

J

A

$260
Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$220
~
3
i $180

$140

$100

s

0

N

D

Sep $157,300,000 $161,200,000 Oct 204,800,000 258,100,000 Nov 203,900,000 254,200,000 Dec 182,600,000 209,000,000 Jan 168,600,000 223,100,000 Feb 239,000,000 177,200,000 Mar 142,700,000 216,200,000 Apr 191,000,000 183,300,000 May 212,500,000 198,300,000 Jun 205,700,000 172,400,000 Jul 245,100,000 139,300,000 Aug 149,700,000 237,700,000

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

12 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Georgia Department of Labor

Hartsfield Airport Flights
75.0
I 1996-97 -1997-98

71.4
67.8
(J) Cl
~
i0!: 64.2

_/-

"';!==
'"'"'"""""""'""'""
... l,,.//"""""'!

60.6

57.0

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

A

Hartsfield Airport Passengers

6.6 i............1996-97 -1997-98
6.2
~
5.8 z(J)
0
j ~ 5.4

--- -~ ....-
---/ """"'"'./"'/" .. ~"""' .,.,.,.,.+' ~!<->

~,/"///' i"'""'"""'"'.,.~,l./>'"""'/''/

5.0

4.6

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQI!.th l22Q:2I

Sep

61,223

Oct

61,939

Nov

62,173

Dec

61,633

Jan

63,294

Feb

63,001

Mar

63,586

Apr

64,699

May

65,025

Jun

67,088

Jul

67,895

Aug

67,988

1221:2.8.
68,269 68,056 68,166 68,374 68,165 67,875 69,090 69,472 70,093 70,177 71,453 70,012

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Mlilllh l22Q:2I

Sep 5,025,000

Oct 5,281,000

Nov 5,118,000

Dec 5,385,000

Jan

5,415,000

Feb 5,415,000

Mar 5,507,000

Apr 5,547,000

May 5,597,000

Jun 5,773,000

Jul

5,850,000

Aug 5,818,000

1221:2.8.
5,975,000 5,819,000 5,853,000 5,913,000 5,916,000 5,842,000 5,982,000 6,050,000 6,122,000 6,120,000 6,214,000 6,153,000

Hartsfield Airport Cargo
84.0 1.,.,1996-97 -1997-98

79.4

z(J) ~
a0 : :ti;

74.8

'

u.. 0

(J)

Cl
:!:

70.2

(J)

i3

J: I-

"!...

65.6

61.0

s

0

- I./~ ~ - --.........
........ ""-

'_lf""/j!-l~
v ~

l.M''"''" ' .o;;"'"

,. <!,M.
...

. f/""'"'""

/"'/'""/'" "'"'""

N

D

F

M

A

M

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQI!.th l22Q:2I

Sep

66,956

Oct

66,558

Nov

66,718

Dec

65,140

Jan

67,541

Feb

67,212

Mar

67,935

Apr

70,594

May

71,841

Jun

70,550

Jul

75,447

Aug

79,171

1221:2.8.
77,554 74,679 75,218 75,429 77,207 74,912 76,037 76,699 75,332 75,008 75,093 72,332

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 13

Hotel Occupancy
68.5
"'~1996-97 -1997-98

66.9

(/J
w

65.3

Cl
z~w
wa0:
Q.

63.7

62.1

60.5

s

0

N

D

Average Hotel Room Rates

$89
l-1996-97 -1997-98 I

F

M

A

M

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Mmllh
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

1226:21
63.5% 63.5% 65.3% 62.9% 63.9% 63.9% 63.9% 63.9% 63.4% 65.0% 63.8% 62.7%

l221.:2R
63.3% 64.2% 62.2% 64.6% 63.9% 63.6% 64.2% 64.6% 66.5% 66.4% 65.6% 65.7%

$85

~''<-,,..\.,

$81

!'>..
\ --h./ .../

$77

. - /''"',~ ,J'.......

$73

/ "'-. -

.//' '\"\.

.. h ..
"' ,...\...... ,,,//

/'" '\\ ........... ..........

I"'".,,"'"'

$69

s 0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Deflated Average Hotel Room Rates
$57
11996-97 -1997-98 I

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1222:27.

Sep

$83.69

Oct

81.69

Nov

77.62

Dec

75.78

Jan

77.96

Feb

77.67

Mar

75.45

Apr

79.35

May

75.29

Jun

76.72

Jul

75.62

Aug

73.23

l221.:2R
$75.19 75.29 75.89 78.61 79.14 78.73 81.27 78.96 79.09 76.50 75.62 75.85

$54
~"''<>..,,"'!\

$51 $48

"\..,\
.....,,.,,,,./
.-/

""'........

/ ., '---~
'"l ' :>< h\,

./'
l/f

,... .....
l_. .....

~ '"...... -,......,,,

$45

$42

s 0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

14 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Mmllh l22Q:21

Sep

$53.11

Oct

51.61

Nov

48.93

Dec

47.79

Jan

49.03

Feb

48.68

Mar

47.19

Apr

49.56

May

47.03

Jun

47.85

Jul

47.10

Aug

45.52

l221.:2R
$46.65 46.60 47.00 48.73 48.95 48.61 50.12 48.62 48.59 46.93 46.32 46.45

Georgia Department of Labor

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Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 15

STATE OF GEORGIA - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LABOR MARKET INFORMATION
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1751

&A
L2oo.4b
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Carroll

Atlanta Economic
! {
Indicators
Monthly Report Volume 1; Issue 6 October 1998
AUQl;JSt 1998 Data

Georgia Department of Labor
Marti Fullerton, Commissioner

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Carroll

Atlanta Economic
! {
Indicators
Monthly Report Volume 1; Issue 6 October 1998
AUQl;JSt 1998 Data

Georgia Department of Labor
Marti Fullerton, Commissioner

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators is published by Labor Market Information, a division of the Georgia Department of Labor, 148 International Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751. The telephone number is (404) 656-3177.

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Introduction
M t r o Atlanta Economic Indicators, Monthly Report, is designed to provide in a single publication data on a number of indicators used to measure movement of the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area's economy.
The indicators have been collected and disseminated for many years by private and governmental agencies, but not under a single cover. Contributing agencies include Georgia's Department of Labor, the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, F.W. Dodge, McGraw-Hill Information Group, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Cobb Community Transit System and Smith Travel Research of Hendersonville, Tennessee.
All data except those contained in the Metropolitan Atlanta Consumer Price Index chart on Page 3 are seasonally adjusted. They are presented in graphic and tabular form. Each series shows movement over a 24-month period. Where appropriate, companion graphs and tables show data which have been deflated by the U.S. Consumer Price Index or the U.S. Construction Price Index. The purpose is to adjust for inflation and show growth in constant dollars.
Historical tables and graphs (1980-96) will be included in a supplementary Atlanta Economic Indicators, Historical Series, published each February beginning in 1999.
The purpose of the publications is to serve the business and professional communities, economic developers, economists, educators and others who have need for information on Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area economic trends.
Labor Market Information welcomes comments, suggestions or questions concerning Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators, Monthly Report and Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators, Historical Series. Please address letters to Spencer Haynes, assistant commissioner, Labor Market Information, Georgia Department of Labor, 148 International Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751. The telephone number is (404) 656-3177.

Data Sources
Nonagricultural Employment, Wholesale Employment, Retail Employment, Services Employment, Manufacturing Employment, Government Employment, Construction Employment, Transportation and Public Utilities Employment, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Employment, Manufacturing Workweek, Manufacturing Earnings, Unemployment Rate, Insured Unemployment Rate, Initial Unemployment Claims and Continued Unemployment Claims -- Georgia Department of Labor

Consumer Price Index -- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Residential Construction and U.S. Construction Price Index -- U.S. Department of Commerce

Nonresidential Construction -- F.W. Dodge, McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group

Hartsfield International Airport Flights, Passengers and Cargo -- Department of Aviation, Hartsfield International Airport

MARTA Passengers -- Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit System

Cobb Community Transit Passengers -- Cobb Community Transit System

Hotel Occupancy and Room Rates -- Smith Travel Research, Hendersonville, Tennessee

2 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Consumer Price Index

>1994
./r~~9~ .
<1996
1997 tj999

58.4

61.7

62.5

66.9

68.5

76.4

78.0

87.2

88.2

92.8

92.9

97.9

98.7

102.6

103.2

107.0

107.6

111.7

111.1

159.5

160.8

55.9 59.4 63.6 70.5 80.3 89.3 96.5 100.2 104.1 108.8 112.2 115.5 119.1 124.9 130.8 135.5 138.6 142.2 146.7 150.3 154.7 158.3 162.0

56.9

60.7

64.7

65.9

71.9

73.2

81.7

83.0

91.6

93.3

98.0

98.8

100.8

100.9

104.8

105.4

109.9

110.4

112.4

112.7

161.9

57.0 61.2 65.9 74.0 85.7 93.6 98.2 101.9 105.5 111.2 113.5 117.5 121.7 127.3 132.6 136.2 138.5 144.7 146.7 151.5 157.2 159.5

3.4% 7.4% 7.7% 12.3% 15.8% 9.2% 4.9% 3.8% 3.5% 5.4% 2.1% 3.5% 3.6% 4.6% 4.2% 2.7% 1.7% 4.5% 1.4% 3.3% 3.8% 1.5%

U.S.BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Atlanta Consumer Price Index declines

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Metropolitan Atlanta declined 0.1 percent from June to August, trimming its rise for the first eight months of the year to 1.6 percent. Janet Rankin, regional commissioner for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which maintains the indexes, said the nation's CPI increased 0.1 percent in August. It, too, is up 1.6 percent so far this year. Metro Atlanta's CPI is computed every other month; the nation's monthly. Ms. Rankin said falling energy costs contributed to Atlanta's overall price decline during the two-month period. The cost of food and beverages increased.
BLS figures show that, after declining 1.5 percent from April through June, energy costs dropped another 1.1 per-
Georgia Department of Labor

The formula

Following is the formula for figur-

ing Consumer Price Index changes

from one point in time to another.

Index point change

CPI Less previous index Equals index point change

112.5 108.5
4.0

Index point difference

4.0

Percentage change

Divide by the previous index 108.5

Equals

0.037

Results multiplied by 100 0.037x100

Equals percent change

3.7 %

cent from June to August. For the first eight months of the year, however, energy costs have climbed 7.4 percent. Prices for food and beverages rose 0.8 percent during the two-month period,

the identical rate as that for the first eight months of the year.
Ms. Rankin said prices for all items less food and energy dropped 0.1 percent from June through August compared to an increase of 0.8 percent for the first eight months.
The housing index rose 0.1 percent with higher prices for shelter and lower costs for fuels and utilities. Fuels and utilities costs dropped despite higher electricity prices. Transportation costs decreased as motor fuels dropped sharply over the two-month period.
Apparel prices declined 2.4 percent and the cost of other goods and services was down 1.5 percent. For the same time period, medical care, 0.6 percent, and recreation, 0.7 percent, increased in costs while education and communication prices rose 0.2 percent.

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 3

ACCRA Cost of Living Index

.. lllUS'TRO .AREA

ALL.ITEM$

GR9CeRIES

'.: ..

.: :

HbuslN<I

f1LiTJ~$

tFtANse.>

.;:
HEALTfoi.

Ml$C~

New York, NY

230.2

Nassau-Suffolk, NY

145.5

Boston, MA

133.8

Washington, DC

124.1

San Die o, CA
....~.~~.~~elp~ia,pA
....Ls~()~$"i~n:~n$1.~o$J,p~A.
clever ct .l?ori1n , R>

Riverside, CA

108.1

Denver, CO

106.9

Atlanta, GA

103.1

Minneapolis, MN

102.3

Phoenix, AZ

. ..ij~ l~ ~ .

ft O~El~~9~ < j '

.. .qoi ~~1:.p~~s,

7.. x< .....

cincinnat1,0H.X...

Baltimore, MD

97.4

Dallas, TX

97.1

Houston, TX

96.7

Indianapolis, IN

96.7

San Antonio, TX

90.0

139.7 124.6 111.2 108.8 112.9
108.1 107.9 104.4 101.3 101.0
98.9 95.9 97.3 104.1 88.0

459.7 173.3 181.4 155.3

178.0 166.0 134.4 94.0 103.0

120.3 144.6 114.5 125.8

191.2 154.1 141.6 116.3 126.1

131.3 126.0 108.9 113.0

106.5 120.3 105.7
97.3 96.0

101.1 84.4 95.2 97.2 105.1

125.8 110.6
99.2 110.1 111.2

106.2 125.0 110.4 112.3 111.8

108.8 96.6
102.4 102.8
97.5

93.9

109.0

102.2

95.7 95.5

92.4

94.8

104.6

99.7 99.7

88.6

88.6

108.8

109.4 99.7

93.4

97.9

95.8

93.7

96.3

85.3

76.6

90.8

94.6

97.3

Metro Atlanta living costs rank 13th

Atlanta ranked 13th most expensive among 25 metropolitan areas with more than 1.5 million population participating in the second quarter 1998 ACCRA Cost of Living Index. The index measures the after-taxes cost for a midmanagement standard of living.
Living costs were highest in New York (Manhattan), which ranked more than twice the average, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), 45 percent above average, and Boston, 34 percent above average. Atlanta registered 3.1 percent above average. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index is compiled and published by the American Chamber of Com-

merce Research Association, an organization of community and economic development research professionals.
Sixteen of the 25 major metros registered living costs above the nationwide average of 100, which was based on price data collected for 323 urban areas of all sizes. Of the 12 major metros with index readings below 103, only San Antonio, Houston and Indianapolis differed appreciably from the nationwide average. The index measures differences among areas in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and nonconsumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top

4 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

income quintile. It is based on 59 items, for which prices are collected quarterly by the chamber of commerce, economic development organization or some similar group in each participating urban area. Small differences should not be interpreted as showing any measurable difference, according to ACCRA. The composite index is based on six components -- grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.
Costs in Atlanta ranked above average on groceries, housing, health care and miscellaneous goods and services; below on utilities and transportation.
Georgia Department of Labor

Data Summary
August 1998

Economic Indicators
Seasonally Adjusted
Nonagricultural Employment
Wit<>le$ ..~~l9y~n
Retail Employment
Manufacturing Employment

Aug98

Jul98

Aug97

Percent Change
Jul98 to
Aug98

Percent Change
Aug97 to
Aug98

2,032,000 363,400 221,000

2,026,000 363,700 221,400

1,969,000 360,000 220,000

+ 0.30
- 0.08 - 0.18

+ 3.20 + 0.94 + 0.45

Construction Employment
1Jiaii~
Finance, Insurance & Realty Employment

101,700 132,600

Manufacturing Earnings

$536.36

100,800 132,100 $534.38

95,700 128,400 $539.70

+ 0.89 + 0.38 + 0.37

+ 6.27 + 3.27
- 0.62

Residential Construction (household units) 4,739

4,419

3,846

+ 7.24

+ 23.22

Deflated Nonresidential Construction $237,700,000 $139,300,000 $149,700,000

+70.64

+ 58.78

Insured Unemployment Rate
)itlij,~f!ii~~ffet~~~
Continued Unemployment Claims

0.76 60,276

0.76 58,815

0.77 56,544

+ 2.48

+ 6.60

Hartsfield Airport Passengers

6,153,000

6,214,000

5,818,000

- 0.98

+ 5.76

Hotel Occupancy
~~~~e.
Deflated Average Hotel Room Rate

65.7% $46.45

65.6% $46.32

62.7% $45.52

+ 0.28

+ 2.04

Cobb County Transit Passengers
Georgia Department of Labor

105,088

108,214

104,742

- 2.89

+ 0.33

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 5

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators is published by Labor Market Information, a division of the Georgia Department of Labor, 148 International Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751. The telephone number is (404) 656-3177.

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Nonagricultural Employment
2.08 ''"""1996-97 -1997-98

2.04

2.00
/
1.96
1.92

---

-~
.,..,''"..,#"" .~"'"''''"

.....~,,,Mw

1.88

s

0

N

0

J

Wholesale Employment
176 1'>1996-97 -1997-98

F

M

A

M

----
- '"""'""''"""
...
A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQnth
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

122.6:21
l,918,000 l,918,000 l,919,000 l,925,000 l,926,000 l,933,000 l,943,000 l,945,000 l,952,000 l,955,000 l,961,000 l,969,000

1221:28.
l,978,000 l,992,000 l,999,000 2,003,000 2,015,000 2,018,000 2,016,000 2,021,000 2,023,000 2,022,000 2,026,000 2,032,000

171

-- 166

- ~~

_i.----

161

~"""""'''" ~
~...# " " '

.,~""''.
-,;Mi'' """""'"'"""
k''"""'""''"

156

151

s

0

N

0

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Retail Employment
370 1=1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQnth
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

122.6:21
157,200 157,600 157,900 158,300 158,300 159,300 160,500 161,300 162,000 162,700 163,800 165,200

1221:28.
165,500 166,500 167,400 167,900 168,900 169,000 168,800 168,800 169,500 169,700 169,800 169,700

366

~
362
-/'

r,, ~''""""""'"'"'

/'''"#'

354

-- " ,/~

,,_,,.,.,-
~

~

,,,.,,,,-

,_... .l~/""<

"" ,,,,0"""'"""' ~0'''"" ~""""'"'"''"' k-'"--""

350

s

0

N

0

F

M

A

M

6 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

M2n1h
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

122.6:21
357,000 356,200 354,300 356,100 356,000 356,300 357,500 356,100 356,900 357,500 358,400 360,000

1221:28.
360,500 362,200 362,300 363,100 363,100 364,500 363,300 364,100 365,000 362,900 363,700 363,400

Georgia Department of Labor

Services Employment
624
1. 1996-97 -1997-98

608

592

/

-/

----~

576

""""
560

[,..f'>>'/>',>w

544

'...,.,."'"':

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1222:27.

Sep

561,000

Oct

559,300

Nov

561,500

Dec

561,900

Jan

565,200

Feb

566,400

Mar

570,900

Apr

572,300

May

574,300

Jun

575,600

Jul

577,700

Aug

582,000

~
587,000 595,600 596,600 600,000 603,700 604,000 602,800 605,300 605,100 606,200 606,400 606,900

Construction Employment
105.0
J.", 1996-97 -1997-98

101.6
"~0' 98.2
::J 0 :I: I-
94.8

-~V"
~ ~i.---

''''""'""'' ~:-:-::<:=}":-:-"!"''~'"'': 91.4

_i.....-"""'
L,,. /.,. .,..,v
[,...,,,,,.,..,...........,
"""''"

88.0

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

A

Transportation and Public Utilities Employment .r,. 178
1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQ!lth 1226.:21

Sep

92,100

Oct

92,200

Nov

92,300

Dec

92,400

Jan

91,700

Feb

92,300

Mar

92,400

Apr

92,200

May

92,800

Jun

93,200

Jul

94,500

Aug

95,700

.l221.:2S.
95,700 96,500 97,600 99,500 99,500 101,000 100,800 100,500 100,700 100,500 100,800 101,700

173 168
t,.....---i.---
163 158

~ i...---
L.,,.,. .,,...,,..,... L~""""'''""' !.."'"'""''"''"''
[,,f/,e0"'
''''

-- !...---"" ~
.,,,_,,.., L"'''"''""'"

153

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Employment
137 J.mm199697 -1997-98

133
_,,,,,,,,. -
129

i...,....-""'

125 ,_,.,,.,
121

"'"'"'"'' [,,,.""'"'''""' "'"'

--
# ' ' 1.....,...,... ............. 1,,,,.,,.-c"' ' ' ' '

117

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

8 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1226.:21

Sep

158,100

Oct

157,700

Nov

157,700

Dec

158,400

Jan

160,400

Feb

161,300

Mar

162,100

Apr

162,800

May

163,200

Jun

163,600

Jul

164,200

Aug

165,000

.l221.:2S.
165,900 167,000 167,800 168,300 168,600 169,200 169,800 170,200 170,200 170,800 170,200 173,100

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MMth 1226.:21

Sep

122,600

Oct

122,900

Nov

123,500

Dec

123,400

Jan

124,100

Feb

124,900

Mar

125,700

Apr

125,900

May

126,500

Jun

126,900

Jul

127,600

Aug

128,400

.l221.:2S.
129,100 129,900 130,300 131,300 131,600 131,500 131,900 132,000 132,200 132,000 132,100 132,600

Georgia Department of Labor

Manufacturing Workweek
44.2 ........ 1996-97 -1997-98
43.5
42.8 (a/:)
5
J:
42.1

41.4

40.7

s

0

N

D

Manufacturing Earnings

$565

.........1996-97 -1997-98

$552

F

M

A

M

$539
(/)
~
g $526

$513

$500

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$349

""""1996-97 -1997-98

$343

$337
(/)
~
g $331

$325

$319

s

0

N

D

Georgia Department of Labor

F

M

A

M

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Sep

42.5

42.4

Oct

42.1

42.9

Nov

42.5

42.4

Dec

42.8

42.8

Jan

43.2

42.0

Feb

42.9

41.8

Mar

43.3

41.4

Apr

43.4

41.6

May

42.8

41.8

Jun

42.3

41.7

Jul

42.3

42.0

Aug

42.8

41.2

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

~

~

Sep
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
A

$514.05 514.IO 522.57 541.03 535.75 540.81 544.40 549.47 538.83 526.95 531.21 539.70

$532.31 551.21 539.28 546.51 540.12 530.10 534.15 525.57 541.25 537.12 534.38 536.36

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

1.221:2.a

Sep
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
A

$325.76 324.76 329.49 341.13 336.74 338.85 340.25 342.99 336.56 328.73 330.97 335.63

$330.22 341.10 333.92 338.82 334.33 327.42 329.32 323.43 332.46 329.52 327.44 328.25

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October I998 9

Initial Unemployment Claims
12.8 1996-97 -1997-98
11.2

9.6

8.0

6.4

4.8

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

Continued Unemployment Claims
85.0 ..... 1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQnth
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun Jul Aug
A

122.6:.21
10,568 11,141 9,879 9,844 10,057 9,277 9,221 9,428 9,337 8,597 8,114 9,162

.l.2.2l:2.8.
8,566 7,384 8,025 8,172 7,327 7,310 7,082 6,661 6,191 7,760 7,716 6,233

76.6

68.2

59.8

51.4

43.0

s

0

N

D

Unemployment Rate
4.4
I 1996-97 -1997-98 I

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

.1.221:2_8_

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb
Mar

Apr
May

Jun

Jul

Aug

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

67,871 67,489 69,651 75,712 72,882 68,492 70,291 66,137 61,065 61,461 55,073 55,544

56,364 53,594 54,835 57,384 52,109 55,713 59,009 54,114 54,419 59,080 58,815 60,276

4.1

ffl 3.8

C!l

~ z

g w
w
0.

~ " - 3.5

~

3.2

2.9

s

0

N

D

,.\ ............ .............

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

; ...............

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb
Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

3.9% 3.9% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 3.8% 3.9% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 3.6%

3.6% 3.5% 3.3% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2%

10 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Georgia Department of Labor

Insured Unemployment Rate
1.07 jc.rn 1996-97 -1997-98

0.97

0 :!:':;:-;.,-::,.:;;:.:::;'::;:>.::::::'::;::::::.-:::-:<:::::':)) ,.,.;.;:;';-::,::;}::vfr-#
"' '"'"' c.,,,

1"""". .,., _._

"' 0.87
w
CJ
z~w

...,%.,,, '"'"%.,..

0

w0:

Q. 0.77

__ ..._

"'--- '-......._..
0.67

0.57

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

MARTA Passengers

6.9 """1996-97 -1997-98

.,.. r""'"'"" ("'%...
~

M

J

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Ml2nth 1222::21

Sep

0.93%

Oct

0.95%

Nov

0.94%

Dec

0.95%

Jan

0.91%

Feb

0.88%

Mar

0.85%

Apr

0.83%

May

0.83%

Jun

0.82%

Jul

0.79%

Aug

0.77%

1221:2.a
0.74% 0.71% 0.73% 0.69% 0.71% 0.71% 0.70% 0.71% 0.72% 0.73% 0.76% 0.76%

6.6

6.3
"z '
0
j
~
6.0

5.7

5.4

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

Cobb Community Transit Passengers
135 -"1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

M2n1h 1222::21

1221:2.a

Sep 6,491,000 Oct 6,018,000 Nov 5,914,000 Dec 5,831,000 Jan 6,080,000 Feb 5,930,000 Mar 5,991,000 Apr 6,182,000 May 6,016,000 Jun 5,744,000 Jul 5,797,000 Aug 5,870,000

6,153,000 6,615,000 6,185,000 6,556,000 6,479,000 6,477,000 6,563,000 6,364,000 6,303,000 6,272,000 6,570,000 6,068,000

A

127

119
a"0~'
i!: 111

103

95

s

0

N

D

Georgia Department of Labor

F

M

A

M

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

M2n1h 1222::21 .1.221:2.8.

Sep

127,626

105,903

Oct

122,182

110,092

Nov

111,892

107,461

Dec

110,471

111,394

Jan

108,208

111,406

Feb

103,694

112,271

Mar

105,779

109,523

Apr

109,225

108,560

May

112,864

104,636

Jun

103,575

109,386

Jul

108,873

108,214

Aug

104,742

105,088

A

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 11

Introduction
M t r o Atlanta Economic Indicators, Monthly Report, is designed to provide in a single publication data on a number of indicators used to measure movement of the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area's economy.
The indicators have been collected and disseminated for many years by private and governmental agencies, but not under a single cover. Contributing agencies include Georgia's Department of Labor, the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, F.W. Dodge, McGraw-Hill Information Group, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Cobb Community Transit System and Smith Travel Research of Hendersonville, Tennessee.
All data except those contained in the Metropolitan Atlanta Consumer Price Index chart on Page 3 are seasonally adjusted. They are presented in graphic and tabular form. Each series shows movement over a 24-month period. Where appropriate, companion graphs and tables show data which have been deflated by the U.S. Consumer Price Index or the U.S. Construction Price Index. The purpose is to adjust for inflation and show growth in constant dollars.
Historical tables and graphs (1980-96) will be included in a supplementary Atlanta Economic Indicators, Historical Series, published each February beginning in 1999.
The purpose of the publications is to serve the business and professional communities, economic developers, economists, educators and others who have need for information on Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area economic trends.
Labor Market Information welcomes comments, suggestions or questions concerning Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators, Monthly Report and Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators, Historical Series. Please address letters to Spencer Haynes, assistant commissioner, Labor Market Information, Georgia Department of Labor, 148 International Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751. The telephone number is (404) 656-3177.

Data Sources
Nonagricultural Employment, Wholesale Employment, Retail Employment, Services Employment, Manufacturing Employment, Government Employment, Construction Employment, Transportation and Public Utilities Employment, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Employment, Manufacturing Workweek, Manufacturing Earnings, Unemployment Rate, Insured Unemployment Rate, Initial Unemployment Claims and Continued Unemployment Claims -- Georgia Department of Labor

Consumer Price Index -- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Residential Construction and U.S. Construction Price Index -- U.S. Department of Commerce

Nonresidential Construction -- F.W. Dodge, McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group

Hartsfield International Airport Flights, Passengers and Cargo -- Department of Aviation, Hartsfield International Airport

MARTA Passengers -- Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit System

Cobb Community Transit Passengers -- Cobb Community Transit System

Hotel Occupancy and Room Rates -- Smith Travel Research, Hendersonville, Tennessee

2 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Georgia Department of Labor

Residential Construction
5600

5060
z~ 4520
::J
~
~ 3980

3440

2900

s

0

N

D

Nonresidential Construction

$350
mm>1996-97 -1997-98

F

M

A

M

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
A

3,974 3,485 3,568 4,343 3,825 3,352 3,801 4,863 3,778 4,201 4,357 3,846

122.U.8.
3,848 5,157 4,668 3,789 4,527 4,729 4,730 4,517 4,371 4,288 4,419 4,739

$304

$258 ~ 0
3 $212
i
$166

$120

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

Deflated Nonresidential Construction
$300
,mm1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Sep $182,500,000 $192,700,000

Oct 238,200,000 309,400,000

Nov 237,300,000 306,600,000

Dec 213,100,000 252,300,000

Jan

197,400,000 269,000,000

Feb 279,600,000 213,100,000

Mar 168,100,000 260,000,000

Apr 225,000,000 220,700,000

May 250,100,000 239,200,000

Jun 243,300,000 209,300,000

Jul

290,600,000 170,000,000

Aug 178,000,000 290,200,000

J

A

$260
Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$220
~
3
i $180

$140

$100

s

0

N

D

Sep $157,300,000 $161,200,000 Oct 204,800,000 258,100,000 Nov 203,900,000 254,200,000 Dec 182,600,000 209,000,000 Jan 168,600,000 223,100,000 Feb 239,000,000 177,200,000 Mar 142,700,000 216,200,000 Apr 191,000,000 183,300,000 May 212,500,000 198,300,000 Jun 205,700,000 172,400,000 Jul 245,100,000 139,300,000 Aug 149,700,000 237,700,000

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

12 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Georgia Department of Labor

Hartsfield Airport Flights
75.0
I 1996-97 -1997-98

71.4
67.8
(J) Cl
~
i0!: 64.2

_/-

"';!==
'"'"'"""""""'""'""
... l,,.//"""""'!

60.6

57.0

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

A

Hartsfield Airport Passengers

6.6 i............1996-97 -1997-98
6.2
~
5.8 z(J)
0
j ~ 5.4

--- -~ ....-
---/ """"'"'./"'/" .. ~"""' .,.,.,.,.+' ~!<->

~,/"///' i"'""'"""'"'.,.~,l./>'"""'/''/

5.0

4.6

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQI!.th l22Q:2I

Sep

61,223

Oct

61,939

Nov

62,173

Dec

61,633

Jan

63,294

Feb

63,001

Mar

63,586

Apr

64,699

May

65,025

Jun

67,088

Jul

67,895

Aug

67,988

1221:2.8.
68,269 68,056 68,166 68,374 68,165 67,875 69,090 69,472 70,093 70,177 71,453 70,012

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Mlilllh l22Q:2I

Sep 5,025,000

Oct 5,281,000

Nov 5,118,000

Dec 5,385,000

Jan

5,415,000

Feb 5,415,000

Mar 5,507,000

Apr 5,547,000

May 5,597,000

Jun 5,773,000

Jul

5,850,000

Aug 5,818,000

1221:2.8.
5,975,000 5,819,000 5,853,000 5,913,000 5,916,000 5,842,000 5,982,000 6,050,000 6,122,000 6,120,000 6,214,000 6,153,000

Hartsfield Airport Cargo
84.0 1.,.,1996-97 -1997-98

79.4

z(J) ~
a0 : :ti;

74.8

'

u.. 0

(J)

Cl
:!:

70.2

(J)

i3

J: I-

"!...

65.6

61.0

s

0

- I./~ ~ - --.........
........ ""-

'_lf""/j!-l~
v ~

l.M''"''" ' .o;;"'"

,. <!,M.
...

. f/""'"'""

/"'/'""/'" "'"'""

N

D

F

M

A

M

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQI!.th l22Q:2I

Sep

66,956

Oct

66,558

Nov

66,718

Dec

65,140

Jan

67,541

Feb

67,212

Mar

67,935

Apr

70,594

May

71,841

Jun

70,550

Jul

75,447

Aug

79,171

1221:2.8.
77,554 74,679 75,218 75,429 77,207 74,912 76,037 76,699 75,332 75,008 75,093 72,332

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 13

Hotel Occupancy
68.5
"'~1996-97 -1997-98

66.9

(/J
w

65.3

Cl
z~w
wa0:
Q.

63.7

62.1

60.5

s

0

N

D

Average Hotel Room Rates

$89
l-1996-97 -1997-98 I

F

M

A

M

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Mmllh
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

1226:21
63.5% 63.5% 65.3% 62.9% 63.9% 63.9% 63.9% 63.9% 63.4% 65.0% 63.8% 62.7%

l221.:2R
63.3% 64.2% 62.2% 64.6% 63.9% 63.6% 64.2% 64.6% 66.5% 66.4% 65.6% 65.7%

$85

~''<-,,..\.,

$81

!'>..
\ --h./ .../

$77

. - /''"',~ ,J'.......

$73

/ "'-. -

.//' '\"\.

.. h ..
"' ,...\...... ,,,//

/'" '\\ ........... ..........

I"'".,,"'"'

$69

s 0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Deflated Average Hotel Room Rates
$57
11996-97 -1997-98 I

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1222:27.

Sep

$83.69

Oct

81.69

Nov

77.62

Dec

75.78

Jan

77.96

Feb

77.67

Mar

75.45

Apr

79.35

May

75.29

Jun

76.72

Jul

75.62

Aug

73.23

l221.:2R
$75.19 75.29 75.89 78.61 79.14 78.73 81.27 78.96 79.09 76.50 75.62 75.85

$54
~"''<>..,,"'!\

$51 $48

"\..,\
.....,,.,,,,./
.-/

""'........

/ ., '---~
'"l ' :>< h\,

./'
l/f

,... .....
l_. .....

~ '"...... -,......,,,

$45

$42

s 0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

14 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Mmllh l22Q:21

Sep

$53.11

Oct

51.61

Nov

48.93

Dec

47.79

Jan

49.03

Feb

48.68

Mar

47.19

Apr

49.56

May

47.03

Jun

47.85

Jul

47.10

Aug

45.52

l221.:2R
$46.65 46.60 47.00 48.73 48.95 48.61 50.12 48.62 48.59 46.93 46.32 46.45

Georgia Department of Labor

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Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 15

STATE OF GEORGIA - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LABOR MARKET INFORMATION
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1751

Metro Atlanta Consumer Price Index

>1994
./r~~9~ .
<1996
1997 tj999

58.4

61.7

62.5

66.9

68.5

76.4

78.0

87.2

88.2

92.8

92.9

97.9

98.7

102.6

103.2

107.0

107.6

111.7

111.1

159.5

160.8

55.9 59.4 63.6 70.5 80.3 89.3 96.5 100.2 104.1 108.8 112.2 115.5 119.1 124.9 130.8 135.5 138.6 142.2 146.7 150.3 154.7 158.3 162.0

56.9

60.7

64.7

65.9

71.9

73.2

81.7

83.0

91.6

93.3

98.0

98.8

100.8

100.9

104.8

105.4

109.9

110.4

112.4

112.7

161.9

57.0 61.2 65.9 74.0 85.7 93.6 98.2 101.9 105.5 111.2 113.5 117.5 121.7 127.3 132.6 136.2 138.5 144.7 146.7 151.5 157.2 159.5

3.4% 7.4% 7.7% 12.3% 15.8% 9.2% 4.9% 3.8% 3.5% 5.4% 2.1% 3.5% 3.6% 4.6% 4.2% 2.7% 1.7% 4.5% 1.4% 3.3% 3.8% 1.5%

U.S.BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

Atlanta Consumer Price Index declines

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Metropolitan Atlanta declined 0.1 percent from June to August, trimming its rise for the first eight months of the year to 1.6 percent. Janet Rankin, regional commissioner for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which maintains the indexes, said the nation's CPI increased 0.1 percent in August. It, too, is up 1.6 percent so far this year. Metro Atlanta's CPI is computed every other month; the nation's monthly. Ms. Rankin said falling energy costs contributed to Atlanta's overall price decline during the two-month period. The cost of food and beverages increased.
BLS figures show that, after declining 1.5 percent from April through June, energy costs dropped another 1.1 per-
Georgia Department of Labor

The formula

Following is the formula for figur-

ing Consumer Price Index changes

from one point in time to another.

Index point change

CPI Less previous index Equals index point change

112.5 108.5
4.0

Index point difference

4.0

Percentage change

Divide by the previous index 108.5

Equals

0.037

Results multiplied by 100 0.037x100

Equals percent change

3.7 %

cent from June to August. For the first eight months of the year, however, energy costs have climbed 7.4 percent. Prices for food and beverages rose 0.8 percent during the two-month period,

the identical rate as that for the first eight months of the year.
Ms. Rankin said prices for all items less food and energy dropped 0.1 percent from June through August compared to an increase of 0.8 percent for the first eight months.
The housing index rose 0.1 percent with higher prices for shelter and lower costs for fuels and utilities. Fuels and utilities costs dropped despite higher electricity prices. Transportation costs decreased as motor fuels dropped sharply over the two-month period.
Apparel prices declined 2.4 percent and the cost of other goods and services was down 1.5 percent. For the same time period, medical care, 0.6 percent, and recreation, 0.7 percent, increased in costs while education and communication prices rose 0.2 percent.

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 3

ACCRA Cost of Living Index

.. lllUS'TRO .AREA

ALL.ITEM$

GR9CeRIES

'.: ..

.: :

HbuslN<I

f1LiTJ~$

tFtANse.>

.;:
HEALTfoi.

Ml$C~

New York, NY

230.2

Nassau-Suffolk, NY

145.5

Boston, MA

133.8

Washington, DC

124.1

San Die o, CA
....~.~~.~~elp~ia,pA
....Ls~()~$"i~n:~n$1.~o$J,p~A.
clever ct .l?ori1n , R>

Riverside, CA

108.1

Denver, CO

106.9

Atlanta, GA

103.1

Minneapolis, MN

102.3

Phoenix, AZ

. ..ij~ l~ ~ .

ft O~El~~9~ < j '

.. .qoi ~~1:.p~~s,

7.. x< .....

cincinnat1,0H.X...

Baltimore, MD

97.4

Dallas, TX

97.1

Houston, TX

96.7

Indianapolis, IN

96.7

San Antonio, TX

90.0

139.7 124.6 111.2 108.8 112.9
108.1 107.9 104.4 101.3 101.0
98.9 95.9 97.3 104.1 88.0

459.7 173.3 181.4 155.3

178.0 166.0 134.4 94.0 103.0

120.3 144.6 114.5 125.8

191.2 154.1 141.6 116.3 126.1

131.3 126.0 108.9 113.0

106.5 120.3 105.7
97.3 96.0

101.1 84.4 95.2 97.2 105.1

125.8 110.6
99.2 110.1 111.2

106.2 125.0 110.4 112.3 111.8

108.8 96.6
102.4 102.8
97.5

93.9

109.0

102.2

95.7 95.5

92.4

94.8

104.6

99.7 99.7

88.6

88.6

108.8

109.4 99.7

93.4

97.9

95.8

93.7

96.3

85.3

76.6

90.8

94.6

97.3

Metro Atlanta living costs rank 13th

Atlanta ranked 13th most expensive among 25 metropolitan areas with more than 1.5 million population participating in the second quarter 1998 ACCRA Cost of Living Index. The index measures the after-taxes cost for a midmanagement standard of living.
Living costs were highest in New York (Manhattan), which ranked more than twice the average, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), 45 percent above average, and Boston, 34 percent above average. Atlanta registered 3.1 percent above average. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index is compiled and published by the American Chamber of Com-

merce Research Association, an organization of community and economic development research professionals.
Sixteen of the 25 major metros registered living costs above the nationwide average of 100, which was based on price data collected for 323 urban areas of all sizes. Of the 12 major metros with index readings below 103, only San Antonio, Houston and Indianapolis differed appreciably from the nationwide average. The index measures differences among areas in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and nonconsumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top

4 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

income quintile. It is based on 59 items, for which prices are collected quarterly by the chamber of commerce, economic development organization or some similar group in each participating urban area. Small differences should not be interpreted as showing any measurable difference, according to ACCRA. The composite index is based on six components -- grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.
Costs in Atlanta ranked above average on groceries, housing, health care and miscellaneous goods and services; below on utilities and transportation.
Georgia Department of Labor

Data Summary
August 1998

Economic Indicators
Seasonally Adjusted
Nonagricultural Employment
Wit<>le$ ..~~l9y~n
Retail Employment
Manufacturing Employment

Aug98

Jul98

Aug97

Percent Change
Jul98 to
Aug98

Percent Change
Aug97 to
Aug98

2,032,000 363,400 221,000

2,026,000 363,700 221,400

1,969,000 360,000 220,000

+ 0.30
- 0.08 - 0.18

+ 3.20 + 0.94 + 0.45

Construction Employment
1Jiaii~
Finance, Insurance & Realty Employment

101,700 132,600

Manufacturing Earnings

$536.36

100,800 132,100 $534.38

95,700 128,400 $539.70

+ 0.89 + 0.38 + 0.37

+ 6.27 + 3.27
- 0.62

Residential Construction (household units) 4,739

4,419

3,846

+ 7.24

+ 23.22

Deflated Nonresidential Construction $237,700,000 $139,300,000 $149,700,000

+70.64

+ 58.78

Insured Unemployment Rate
)itlij,~f!ii~~ffet~~~
Continued Unemployment Claims

0.76 60,276

0.76 58,815

0.77 56,544

+ 2.48

+ 6.60

Hartsfield Airport Passengers

6,153,000

6,214,000

5,818,000

- 0.98

+ 5.76

Hotel Occupancy
~~~~e.
Deflated Average Hotel Room Rate

65.7% $46.45

65.6% $46.32

62.7% $45.52

+ 0.28

+ 2.04

Cobb County Transit Passengers
Georgia Department of Labor

105,088

108,214

104,742

- 2.89

+ 0.33

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998 5

Nonagricultural Employment
2.08 ''"""1996-97 -1997-98

2.04

2.00
/
1.96
1.92

---

-~
.,..,''"..,#"" .~"'"''''"

.....~,,,Mw

1.88

s

0

N

0

J

Wholesale Employment
176 1'>1996-97 -1997-98

F

M

A

M

----
- '"""'""''"""
...
A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQnth
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

122.6:21
l,918,000 l,918,000 l,919,000 l,925,000 l,926,000 l,933,000 l,943,000 l,945,000 l,952,000 l,955,000 l,961,000 l,969,000

1221:28.
l,978,000 l,992,000 l,999,000 2,003,000 2,015,000 2,018,000 2,016,000 2,021,000 2,023,000 2,022,000 2,026,000 2,032,000

171

-- 166

- ~~

_i.----

161

~"""""'''" ~
~...# " " '

.,~""''.
-,;Mi'' """""'"'"""
k''"""'""''"

156

151

s

0

N

0

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Retail Employment
370 1=1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQnth
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

122.6:21
157,200 157,600 157,900 158,300 158,300 159,300 160,500 161,300 162,000 162,700 163,800 165,200

1221:28.
165,500 166,500 167,400 167,900 168,900 169,000 168,800 168,800 169,500 169,700 169,800 169,700

366

~
362
-/'

r,, ~''""""""'"'"'

/'''"#'

354

-- " ,/~

,,_,,.,.,-
~

~

,,,.,,,,-

,_... .l~/""<

"" ,,,,0"""'"""' ~0'''"" ~""""'"'"''"' k-'"--""

350

s

0

N

0

F

M

A

M

6 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

J

A

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

M2n1h
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

122.6:21
357,000 356,200 354,300 356,100 356,000 356,300 357,500 356,100 356,900 357,500 358,400 360,000

1221:28.
360,500 362,200 362,300 363,100 363,100 364,500 363,300 364,100 365,000 362,900 363,700 363,400

Georgia Department of Labor

Services Employment
624
1. 1996-97 -1997-98

608

592

/

-/

----~

576

""""
560

[,..f'>>'/>',>w

544

'...,.,."'"':

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1222:27.

Sep

561,000

Oct

559,300

Nov

561,500

Dec

561,900

Jan

565,200

Feb

566,400

Mar

570,900

Apr

572,300

May

574,300

Jun

575,600

Jul

577,700

Aug

582,000

~
587,000 595,600 596,600 600,000 603,700 604,000 602,800 605,300 605,100 606,200 606,400 606,900

Construction Employment
105.0
J.", 1996-97 -1997-98

101.6
"~0' 98.2
::J 0 :I: I-
94.8

-~V"
~ ~i.---

''''""'""'' ~:-:-::<:=}":-:-"!"''~'"'': 91.4

_i.....-"""'
L,,. /.,. .,..,v
[,...,,,,,.,..,...........,
"""''"

88.0

s

0

N

D

F

M

A

M

A

Transportation and Public Utilities Employment .r,. 178
1996-97 -1997-98

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MQ!lth 1226.:21

Sep

92,100

Oct

92,200

Nov

92,300

Dec

92,400

Jan

91,700

Feb

92,300

Mar

92,400

Apr

92,200

May

92,800

Jun

93,200

Jul

94,500

Aug

95,700

.l221.:2S.
95,700 96,500 97,600 99,500 99,500 101,000 100,800 100,500 100,700 100,500 100,800 101,700

173 168
t,.....---i.---
163 158

~ i...---
L.,,.,. .,,...,,..,... L~""""'''""' !.."'"'""''"''"''
[,,f/,e0"'
''''

-- !...---"" ~
.,,,_,,.., L"'''"''""'"

153

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Employment
137 J.mm199697 -1997-98

133
_,,,,,,,,. -
129

i...,....-""'

125 ,_,.,,.,
121

"'"'"'"'' [,,,.""'"'''""' "'"'

--
# ' ' 1.....,...,... ............. 1,,,,.,,.-c"' ' ' ' '

117

s

0

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

8 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I October, 1998

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1226.:21

Sep

158,100

Oct

157,700

Nov

157,700

Dec

158,400

Jan

160,400

Feb

161,300

Mar

162,100

Apr

162,800

May

163,200

Jun

163,600

Jul

164,200

Aug

165,000

.l221.:2S.
165,900 167,000 167,800 168,300 168,600 169,200 169,800 170,200 170,200 170,800 170,200 173,100

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MMth 1226.:21

Sep

122,600

Oct

122,900

Nov

123,500

Dec

123,400

Jan

124,100

Feb

124,900

Mar

125,700

Apr

125,900

May

126,500

Jun

126,900

Jul

127,600

Aug

128,400

.l221.:2S.
129,100 129,900 130,300 131,300 131,600 131,500 131,900 132,000 132,200 132,000 132,100 132,600

Georgia Department of Labor