Manufacturing Workweek 
44.2 """'""'"1996-97 -1997-98 
43.4 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
42.6 
 
41.8 
 
41 
 
40.2 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Manufacturing Earnings 
 
$560 
 
'""'""""1996-97 -1997-98 
 
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 
 
43.5 
 
41.6 
 
May 
 
42.8 
 
41.7 
 
Jun 
 
42.3 
 
41.6 
 
Jul 
 
42.3 
 
42.0 
 
Aug 
 
42.6 
 
41.3 
 
Sep 
 
42.5 
 
41.2 
 
Oct 
 
43.0 
 
40.8 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
$550 
$540 
"~ ' 
g $530 
 
$510 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Deflated Manufacturing Earnings 
 
$350 
 
.,,,,.1995.97 -1997-98 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
l22Q:21 
 
Nov 
 
$523.03 
 
Dec 
 
541.10 
 
Jan 
 
536.06 
 
Feb 
 
540.98 
 
Mar 
 
544.39 
 
Apr 
 
548.88 
 
May 
 
537.65 
 
Jun 
 
525.25 
 
Jul 
 
529.72 
 
Aug 
 
537.89 
 
Sep 
 
535.11 
 
Oct 
 
539.26 
 
m1=2B. 
$539.88 546.40 540.27 530.16 534.03 524.82 540.09 534.99 532.47 533.24 527.22 528.96 
 
$343 
 
$336 
~ 
g $329 
 
$322 
 
$315 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Nov 
 
$329.78 
 
Dec 
 
341.17 
 
Jan 
 
336.93 
 
Feb 
 
338.96 
 
Mar 
 
340.24 
 
Apr 
 
342.62 
 
May 
 
335.82 
 
Jun 
 
327.67 
 
Jul 
 
330.04 
 
Aug 
 
334.51 
 
Sep 
 
331.95 
 
Oct 
 
333.70 
 
m1=2B. 
$334.29 338.75 334.33 327.46 329.24 322.97 331.75 328.21 326.27 326.34 322.26 322.54 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 9 
 
 Initial Unemployment Claims 
11.4 1996-97 -1997-98 
 
10.1 
 
8.8 
 
7.5 
 
6.2 
 
4.9 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Continued Unemployment Claims 
88.0 .... 1996-97 -1997-98 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
Jan 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
1226=21 
9,872 9,852 10,074 9,316 9,274 9,494 9,354 8,669 8,093 9,134 8,342 7,346 
 
l22l:2a 
8,029 8,188 7,347 7,350 7,137 6,720 6,205 7,830 7,694 6,209 7,127 6,726 
 
78.0 
 
68.0 
 
58.0 
 
48.0 
 
38.0 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Total Unemployment Rate 
4.5 
I 1996-97 -1997-98 I 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
Jan 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
69,743 75,972 72,876 68,346 69,993 65,509 60,412 61,495 53,905 55,770 56,784 56,025 
 
1.221:2R 
54,869 57,596 52,078 55,525 58,687 53,465 53,699 58,233 57,451 59,270 51,556 48,707 
 
4.1 r .......,.,.... ...... ,......... ................ 
1 . 
3.7 
 
--- ~ 
3.3 
 
.......... ~ 
 
2.9 
 
2.5 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
10 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 
 
"  ... 
 
"' 
 
I" .. 
 
,............ 
~ 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Mlm.th 1226:21 
 
Nov 
 
4.0% 
 
Dec 
 
4.0% 
 
Jan 
 
4.0% 
 
Feb 
 
4.0% 
 
Mar 
 
3.8% 
 
Apr 
 
3.9% 
 
May 
 
3.8% 
 
Jun 
 
3.8% 
 
Jul 
 
37% 
 
Aug 
 
3.6% 
 
Sep 
 
3.6% 
 
Oct 
 
3.5% 
 
~ 
3.4% 3.3% 3.2% 3.3% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.2% 3.1% 3.0% 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Insured Unemployment Rate 
1.07 ,,_,1996-97 -1997-98 
 
0.95 
 
"""'"'"' 
 
re o.83 
 
'""""""""' I " ' ' , 
 
~ 
 
z w 
 
- ~ 0.71 .......... ...... 
 
- 
 
0.59 
 
0.47 
 
C'%,,,.,,, .. 
""'"'""" 1"'~.."""~ 
--... ............. ............. .......... 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
M2n1h 1226;21 
 
Nov 
 
0.95% 
 
Dec 
 
0.95% 
 
Jan 
 
0.91% 
 
Feb 
 
0.88% 
 
Mar 
 
0.84% 
 
Apr 
 
0.81% 
 
May 
 
0.82% 
 
Jun 
 
0.81% 
 
Jul 
 
0.78% 
 
Aug 
 
0.78% 
 
Sep 
 
0.76% 
 
Oct 
 
0.72% 
 
.l221:2B. 
0.74% o,69% 0.71% 0.71% 0.69% 0.70% 0.69% 0.67% 0.65% 0.63% 0.59% 0.59% 
 
 Residential Construction 
 
5800 
 
-=1996-97 -1997-98 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
2800 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Nonresidential Construction 
 
$420 
 
-~1996-97 -1997-98 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
Jan 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
3,520 4,413 3,733 3,337 3,771 4,878 3,885 4,212 4,419 3,978 3,766 4,879 
 
4,607 3,836 4,446 4,781 4,722 4,570 4,410 4,329 4,479 4,810 4,769 5,248 
 
$356 
 
$292 
 
~ 
 
0 
 
3 
:E 
 
$228 
 
$164 
 
$100 N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Deflated Nonresidential Construction 
$355 *'"'1996-97 -1997-98 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Nov $232,000,000 $317,000,000 
 
Dec 212,800,000 252,000,000 
 
Jan 197,500,000 269,300,000 
 
Feb 277,500,000 211,500,000 
 
Mar 169,600,000 262,700,000 
 
Apr 230,400,000 226,900,000 
 
May 256,500,000 245,200,000 
 
Jun 246,800,000 222,800,000 
 
Jul 285,300,000 207,900,000 
 
Aug 180,200,000 328, 700,000 
 
Sep 211,100,000 350,200,000 
 
Oct 351,500,000 228,100,000 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
$302 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
$249 
Nov $199,300,000 $262,800,000 
 
~ 
:E $196 
 
Dec 182,300,000 208,800,000 Jan 168,700,000 223,300,000 Feb 237,200,000 175,800,000 Mar 144,000,000 218,400,000 
 
Apr 195,600,000 188,400,000 
 
May 217,200,000 203,300,000 
 
Jun 208,700,000 183,500,000 
 
$143 
 
Jul 240,500,000 170,400,000 
 
Aug 151,600,000 268,600,000 
 
Sep 176,700,000 285,900,000 
 
Oct 293,200,000 186,100,000 
 
$90 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
12 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Hartsfield Airport Flights 
76.0 
.I" 1996-97 -1997-98 
 
72.4 
 
68.8 
 
"0 ' 
 
~ 
 
~ 
 
"5 ' 
 
~ 65.2 
 
,, .... 
61.6 
 
...,.........,./..... 
 
l..--"' i.....-- 
 
v - ~ ~ - 
 
I,~"'" 
 
._,., ............ 
 
"''/""'/ 
 
........'"'" !""/"'""' 
 
58.0 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Hartsfield Airport Passengers 
6.7 1.........1996-97 -1997-98 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
MQn1h 1222:21 
 
Nov 
 
61,960 
 
Dec 
 
61,436 
 
Jan 
 
63,143 
 
Feb 
 
62,962 
 
Mar 
 
63,583 
 
Apr 
 
64,852 
 
May 
 
65,148 
 
Jun 
 
67,190 
 
Jul 
 
67,952 
 
Aug 
 
68,258 
 
Sep 
 
68,266 
 
Oct 
 
67,798 
 
l.221.:2.8. 
67,768 68,036 67,931 67,785 69,138 69,670 70,283 70,352 71,510 70,442 70,852 72,466 
 
6.3 
--5.9 
5.5 
........ t,i"../"'// 
5.1 
 
- 
 
~ .....-- 
 
~ 
 
.._ ... . / 
 
l. / .......... 
f"'""'""""' 
 
... .-m 
 
............... "'" 
 
4.7 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Hartsfield Airport Cargo 
83.5 
 
,,, --' 
 
....,;> 
 
...... ...... 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
MQilth ~ 
 
Nov 5,116,000 
 
Dec 5,384,000 
 
Jan 
 
5,418,000 
 
Feb 5,421,000 
 
Mar 5,514,000 
 
Apr 5,554,000 
 
May 5,601,000 
 
Jun 
 
5,775,000 
 
Jul 
 
5,850,000 
 
Aug 5,818,000 
 
Sep 5,944,000 
 
Oct 5,815,000 
 
1221:2.B. 
5,850,000 5,912,000 5,920,000 5,851,000 5,993,000 6,060,000 6,127,000 6,122,000 6,215,000 6,154,000 6,203,000 6,184,000 
 
78.9 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
g"' 
0 74.3 
 
~ 
 
Nov 
 
::; 
~ 
~~ 69.7 5 
~ 
 
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr 
 
May 
 
65.1 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
Sep 
 
60.5 
 
Oct 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
66,571 65,067 67,518 67,179 67,951 70,792 71,878 70,860 75,868 75,278 77,391 73,671 
 
75,035 75,333 77,165 74,872 76,059 76,944 75,382 75,391 75,582 72,964 76,012 78,885 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 13 
 
 Hotel Occupancy 
68.5 ,,,,,,,1996-97 -1997-98 
66.9 
ffi 65.3 
"z~w 
~ 
w 
0. 
63.7 
 
62.1 
 
60.5 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Average Hotel Room Rates 
 
$85 WW 1996-97 -1997-98 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
MQil1h 
Nov Dec 
Jan 
Feb Mar 
Apr 
May 
Jun Jul Aug 
Sep Oct 
 
1226:21 
65.3% 62.8% 63.9% 63.8% 63.8% 63.9% 63.4% 65.0% 63.8% 62.8% 63.1% 63.6% 
 
l221:28. 
62.1% 64.6% 63.9% 63.6% 64.2% 64.5% 66.5% 66.4% 65.6% 65.7% 66.1% 66.4% 
 
$80 
 
$75 
 
$70 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Deflated Average Hotel Room Rates 
$52 ~"'"''1996-97 -1997-98 
 
$50 
 
$49 
 
$47 
 
$46 
 
$44 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
14 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Nov 
 
$77.72 
 
Dec 
 
75.84 
 
Jan 
 
77.92 
 
Feb 
 
77.56 
 
Mar 
 
75.28 
 
Apr 
 
79.14 
 
May 
 
75.15 
 
Jun 
 
76.69 
 
Jul 
 
75.76 
 
Aug 
 
73.62 
 
Sep 
 
73.50 
 
Oct 
 
75.26 
 
1221:28. 
$76.01 78.68 79.12 78.62 81.10 78.75 78.93 76.47 75.78 76.31 77.08 78.04 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Nov 
 
$49.00 
 
$47.06 
 
Dec 
 
47.82 
 
48.78 
 
Jan 
 
48.98 
 
48.96 
 
Feb 
 
48.60 
 
48.56 
 
Mar 
 
47.05 
 
50.00 
 
Apr 
 
49.40 
 
48.46 
 
May 
 
46.94 
 
48.48 
 
Jun 
 
47.84 
 
46.91 
 
Jul 
 
47.20 
 
46.43 
 
Aug 
 
45.78 
 
46.70 
 
Sep 
 
45.60 
 
47.11 
 
Oct 
 
46.57 
 
47.59 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate* 
8.7 
 J......... 1996-97 -1997-98 J 
 
ffl 
 
;";;' 
 
z 
 
g w 
w 0. 
 
7.2 ~ 
 
6.7 
 
6.2 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate* 
8.2 
 h:: 1996-97 -1997-98 I 
 
7.74 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
0 
 
* Does not include points 
 
7.28 
 
(f) 
 
w 
 
;z";;' 
 
w 
 
a0 : w 
 
6.82 
 
0. 
 
6.36 
 
5.9 
 
N 
 
D 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
0 
 
* Does not include points 
 
Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate* 
6.15 
1........1996-97 -1997-98 I 
 
Monthly Data 
Not Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 
 
1996-97 7.73 7.70 7.92 7.75 7.97 8.21 8.00 7.76 7.58 7.55 7.53 7.39 
 
1997-98 
7.29 7.22 7.07 7.07 7.09 7.10 7.10 6.99 6.93 6.92 6.72 6.78 
 
Monthly Data 
Not Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
 
1996-97 
 
Nov 
 
7.30 
 
Dec 
 
7.27 
 
Jan 
 
7.47 
 
Feb 
 
7.30 
 
Mar 
 
7.55 
 
Apr 
 
7.80 
 
May 
 
7.60 
 
Jun 
 
7.39 
 
Jul 
 
7.23 
 
Aug 
 
7.14 
 
Sep 
 
7.12 
 
Oct 
 
7.00 
 
1997-98 
6.92 6.87 6.70 6.69 6.73 6.72 6.70 6.65 6.61 6.58 6.39 6.35 
 
5.93 
 
_ _.~_  _. -+': _:.,_, _ ~ -+---+--~ 5.71 t-----+---+----+---+-:::"",/''-/'_l'_'/-1/-.... 
 
(f) 
 
w 
. . .,.,.,..,.,. .,.,."..,. ";;;' 
 
::.:,.:/~,.v 
 
~ 
 
.....-......f............-.....-.....-.....-..1...'-.,.;.-...-.-. 
 
z 
 
w 
 
a0 : 
 
w 
0. 
 
5.49 
 
5.27 
 
"'I'---. 
 
5.05 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
0 
 
* Does not include points 
 
Monthly Data 
Not Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
 
1996-97 
 
Nov 
 
5.56 
 
Dec 
 
5.49 
 
Jan 
 
5.61 
 
Feb 
 
5.55 
 
Mar 
 
5.65 
 
Apr 
 
5.91 
 
May 
 
5.90 
 
Jun 
 
5.73 
 
Jul 
 
5.56 
 
Aug 
 
5.58 
 
Sep 
 
5.63 
 
Oct 
 
5.53 
 
1997-98 
5.61 5.65 5.60 5.55 5.63 5.63 5.57 5.56 5.51 5.50 5.37 5.27 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro AJ/anta Economic Indicators I December 1998 15 
 
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16 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
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Bartow 
 
Atlanta Economic Indicators 
Monthly Report Volume 1, Issue 8 December 1998 October 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 December I998 
 
 Introduction 
 
M.tro 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 International Airport, F.W. Dodge, McGraw-Hill Information Group, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Cobb Community Transit System, Smith Travel Research and HSH Associates, Financial Publishers. 
 
All data except Average 30-Year and Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates and Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate on Page 15 and those contained in the Metropolitan Atlanta Consumer Price Index chart on Page 3 are seasonally adjusted. Data 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. 
The purpose of this publication 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. Please address letters to Spencer Hoynes, 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, TN. 
 
Average 30-Year and Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates and Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate -- HSH Associates, Financial Publishers, Butler, N.J. 
 
2 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Metro Atlanta Consumer Price Index 
 
.~G~ 
 
$eer 
 
o~'T- 
 
... 
NOV 
 
QE )l;i~ 
 
..:. : '~\f.':),';=,~;'.;:: 
 
61.7 66.9 76.4 87.2 92.8 97.9 102.6 107.0 111.7 
 
62.5 68.5 78.0 88.2 92.9 98.7 103.2 107.6 111.1 
 
59.4 63.6 70.5 80.3 89.3 96.5 1002 104.1 108.8 1122 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 
 
162.0 
 
57.0 61.2 65.9 74.0 85.7 93.6 98.2 101.9 105.5 1112 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 prices rise 1.6 percent 
 
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers in Metropolitan Atlanta rose 0.1 percent between August and October, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS Regional Commissioner Janet Rankin reported that for the first 10 months of the year, prices in the metropolitan area increased 1.6 percent. The figure was the same as that for the South as a whole and for the nation. 
For the two-month period ending in October, transportation costs increased 1.5 percent despite continued declines in gasoline prices. The private transportation index, which had increased during the previous four months, rose an additional 1.6 percent. After declining since April, apparel prices rose 3.4 percent. The cost to consumers for other 
 
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 0.037xl00 
 
Equals percent change 
 
3.7 % 
 
goods and services increased 3.8 percent. Other indexes increasing over the two month period covered by the BLS survey included education and communi- 
 
cation, 1.8 percent; food and beverages, 0.4 percent; medical care, 0.3 percent and recreation, 0.2 percent. 
Housing prices fell 2.0 percent, reversing a steady climb which had been reported during the earlier months of 1998. Costs for fuels and utilities declined 13.4 percent, with electricity costs dropping 18 .1 percent. Energy prices accelerated their decline during the two months, dropping 10.5 percent. They have dropped 3.9 percent during the first 10 months of the year. Prices for all items less food and energy rose 0.9 percent during the twomonth period after having declined 0.1 percent during the previous two months. Bi-monthly collection of CPI data for Atlanta was begun this year. Earlier, it had been done only twice annually. 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 3 
 
 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey 
 
Metro Atlantans earn $15.60 hourly 
 
Wages for workers in the Metropoli- 
 
tan Atlanta area averaged $15.60 per 
 
hour during October 1997, according 
 
to a new study released by the U.S. De- 
 
partment of Labor's Bureau of Labor 
 
Statistics. 
 
Janet Rankin, regional commissioner 
 
for BLS, reported that white-collar 
 
workers averaged $18.71 per hour and 
 
represented 57 percent of the total. 
 
Blue-collar workers, 30 percent, 
 
earned $12.21 per hour. The remain- 
 
der, service workers, averaged $9.21 
 
per hour. 
 
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' new 
 
National Compensation Survey pro- 
 
vides data on straight-time earnings for 
 
occupations in establishments employ- 
 
ing 50 or more workers in private in- 
 
dustry and state and local government 
 
in Metropolitan Atlanta. The area is 
 
composed of Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, 
 
Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, 
 
DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, earned $15.40 per hour, industrial truck 
 
Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, and tractor equipment operators, $11.53, 
 
Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding and stock handlers and baggers, $9.17. 
 
and Walton counties. 
 
Among service workers, nursing aides, 
 
The survey studied 1,177,238 work- orderlies and attendants averaged $7.51 
 
ers. Only agricultural establishments, per hour while janitors and cleaners 
 
private households, self-employed and made $8.27 per hour. 
 
the federal government were excluded Private industry workers accounted for 
 
from the survey. 
 
over 83 percent of the surveyed workers 
 
Average hourly earnings are pub- and earned $15.51 per hour. State and 
 
lished for 144 detailed occupations. local government employees made up 
 
Among white-collar workers, electri- the remainder of those studied and aver- 
 
cal and electronic engineers averaged aged $16.08 per hour. 
 
$30.59 per hour, registered nurses, Wage data are also available for se- 
 
$19.17; and cashiers, $6.93. In blue- lected charactersistics such as full or 
 
collar jobs, printing press operators part-time status, union or non-union and 
 
size of establishment. Subject to publication criteria, average rates of pay are available for occupational levels based on knowledge, skill, independent judgment, supervision received and other factors required for the job. 
The National Compensation Survey is part of a new statistical program that will eventually integrate three surveys of wages and benefits into one compensation program. The new survey increases the amount of wage data available to businesses, employees and the general public. It reduces the time required of business establishments responding to the surveys. 
 
4 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Data Summary 
October 1998 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators 
 
Oct98 
 
Sep98 
 
Oct97 
 
Percent Percent Change Change 
 
Sep98 Oct97 
 
to 
 
to 
 
Oct98 Oct98 
 
Nonagricultural Employment Retail Employment 
 
2,044,000 
 
2,041,000 363,300 
 
1,992,000 
 tr r1~;690. 
362,000 
 
Manufacturing Employment 
 
221,400 
 
220,800 
 
219,600 
 
Construction Employment 
 
102,800 
 
102,000 
 
96,500 
 
Finance, Insurance & Realty Employment 132,900 
 
132,900 
 
129,900 
 
Manufacturing Earnings 
 
$528.96 
 
$539.26 
 
Residential Construction (household units) 
 
5,248 
 
4,769 
 
4,879 
 
Deflated Nonresidential Construction $186,100,000 $285,900,000 $293,200,000 
 
Insured Unemployment Rate 
 
0.59 
 
0.59 
 
0.72 
 
Continued Unemployment Claims 
 
48,707 
 
51,556 
 
56,025 
 
Hartsfield Airport Passengers 
 
6,184,000 
 
6,203,000 
 
5,815,000 
 
Hotel Occupancy 
 
66.4% 
 
66.1% 
 
63.6% 
 
Cobb County Transit Passengers 
 
109,563 
 
$47.11 r(~.~~06()(<.. 
110,978 
 
109,813 
 
Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 
 
6.35% 
 
6.39% 
 
7.00% 
 
+ 0.15 + 2.61 
 
+ 0.61 + 0.27 
 
+ 0.97 
3~36 
+ 0.82 
 
+ 0.78 + 6.53 
 
+ 0.00 + 2.31 
 
+ 0.33 
 
- 1.91 
 
+ 10.04 
- 34.91 
 
+ 7.56 
7j5'.ii 
- 36.53 
 
- 5.53 
- 0.31 
 
- 13.06 
+ 6.35 
 
+ 1.02 
 
+ 2.19 
 
- 1.28 
 
- 0.23 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 5 
 
 Nonagricultural Employment 
2.08 
I"""1996-97 -1997-98 
 
2.04 
 
2.00 ~ 
 
-~~ 
 
1.96 1.92 ,... 
 
,,_d.- 
 
'"'*"""" 
 
"""""'" 
 
1.88 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Wholesale Employment 
176 1~"'1996-97 -1997-98 
 
-L.....--"' 
~,#''""'"' l.,.'"''"': 
-"'""' 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
MQnth 
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 
 
122.6:21 
1,919,000 1,925,000 1,926,000 1,933,000 1,943,000 1,945,000 1,952,000 1,955,000 1,961,000 1,969,000 1,978,000 1,992,000 
 
1221.:28. 
1,998,000 2,003,000 2,014,000 2,018,000 2,016,000 2,021,000 2,024,000 2,023,000 2,026,000 2,035,000 2,041,000 2,044,000 
 
171 
- ----- 
166 
161 
156 
 
,,_. !"'""''"'""'' 
 
l,,,,<_,.,_ l,,,."'- 
~""'"""""~"" '""""""'"' 
 
151 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
Retail Employment 
370 '"1996-97 -1997-98 
 
""' 
>% 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
M2Il1h 
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 
 
1222:21 
158,000 158,300 158,900 159,300 160,500 161,300 162,000 162,800 163,800 165,000 165,300 166,600 
 
l22I:28. 
167,500 168,000 168,800 169,100 168,800 168,800 168,800 169,600 169,700 169,800 170,400 170,300 
 
366 
 
362 
I 358 
 
354 
 
350 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
6 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
M2nlh 122.6:21 1221.:28. 
 
Nov 
 
354,300 
 
362,300 
 
Dec 
 
356,000 
 
363,000 
 
Jan 
 
355,900 
 
363,100 
 
Feb 
 
356,300 
 
364,500 
 
Mar 
 
357,500 
 
363,300 
 
Apr 
 
356,000 
 
364,100 
 
May 
 
356,800 
 
364,900 
 
Jun 
 
357,500 
 
362,900 
 
Jul 
 
358,300 
 
363,500 
 
Aug 
 
360,100 
 
362,700 
 
Sep 
 
360,900 
 
363,300 
 
Oct 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
362,000 
 
365,500 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Services Employment 
630 J.,,.,.,1996-97 -1997-98 
613 
--- ._.,,,.,.-- 
596 
 
579 
 
,.,..,,..........,.,..,..... 
 
562 
 
'''' 
 
545 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Manufacturing Employment 
 
224 ,,.,,, 1996-97 -1997-98 
 
- 
----~ 
 
"'''"'"'" 
 
!.,,.,/''"'''.//": 
:.............>''''.,.... ...,.......... 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
MQ!l1h .l222=21. 
 
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 
 
561,500 561,900 565,200 566,500 570,900 572,200 574,200 575,600 578,000 581,900 587,100 595,100 
 
~ 
596,600 600,000 603,700 604,000 602,900 605,300 605,100 606,200 606,800 610, 100 612,300 615,100 
 
222 
 
220 
 
218 
; ...,. 
 
., 
 
.<"'"",.,.. 
 
..,>.....,..,,.,,, I,........../'"''''""'' 
 
216 
 
214 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
Government Employment 
267 I 1996-97 -1997-98 
 
~ 
 
~ ~ 
 
l. ....,,..,,..........~ ,,,,......... ...... 
 
.r/'//''' ''"'<.,., 
 
A 
 
M 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 
 
1996-97 
217,400 217,600 216,700 217,500 218,200 218,300 218,600 218,900 218,400 219,700 219,600 219,600 
 
~ 
220,600 220,400 221,100 221,000 221,100 221,500 221,600 221,200 221,300 221,300 220,800 221,400 
 
263 
 
259 
(/) Cl 
~ 
---- 0 
i!: 255 
[....,.......... 
251 
 
.... 
L. . . ,........... 
'"""'''' 
 
247 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
l-./. 
/ 
,,/" 
 
,.....J' ..,.,.. 
......... 
 
,,,.,('  . . . .,. . . . . 
 
. .......... 
 
.....,..,, 
 
A 
 
M 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
MQ!l1h .l222=21. 
 
Nov 
 
252,100 
 
Dec 
 
252,800 
 
Jan 
 
252,900 
 
Feb 
 
253,400 
 
Mar 
 
254,500 
 
Apr 
 
254,200 
 
May 
 
255,600 
 
Jun 
 
254600 
 
Jul 
 
253,800 
 
Aug 
 
253,500 
 
Sep 
 
254,100 
 
Oct 
 
254,400 
 
~ 
255,100 255,900 256,300 256,700 256,700 256,800 257,100 257,600 257,900 259,400 261,200 262,400 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 7 
 
 Construction Employment 
107 .,.,,,,,1996-97 -1997-98 
103 
_/" 
99 
~ ~ 
95 
'"'<,,.,..,,.,, ,m"'"'" 91 
 
~- - ------ 
 
,.,,..,,.., ...... 
......,, '""''""'"' 
 
""'" ""'"""'""': 
 
87 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
Transportation and Public Utilities Employment 
178 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
M2nth 1222:27. 
 
Nov 
 
93,400 
 
Dec 
 
93,400 
 
Jan 
 
91,700 
 
Feb 
 
92,300 
 
Mar 
 
92,400 
 
Apr 
 
92,200 
 
May 
 
92,800 
 
Jun 
 
93,200 
 
Jul 
 
94,500 
 
Aug 
 
94,900 
 
Sep 
 
95,800 
 
Oct 
 
96,500 
 
1..221.:2.R 
97,500 98,400 99,400 101,000 100,800 100,500 100,700 100,500 100,700 101,600 102,000 102,800 
 
173 
168 
......,,..........,.. \.,,,....".''''""''"'l~"""''"""""'' l""""""''"~ 
163 
 
153 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Employment 
138 
I<1996-97 -1997-98 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
MQn1h 1222:27. 
 
Nov 
 
157,800 
 
Dec 
 
158,400 
 
Jan 
 
160,500 
 
Feb 
 
161,300 
 
Mar 
 
162,100 
 
Apr 
 
162,800 
 
May 
 
163,100 
 
Jun 
 
163,400 
 
Jul 
 
164,300 
 
Aug 
 
165,000 
 
Sep 
 
166,000 
 
Oct 
 
167,100 
 
1..221.:2.R 
167,800 168,300 168,700 169,200 169,800 170,100 170,100 170,600 171,000 172,500 172,700 173,300 
 
134 
~ .....--- 
130 
126 
~""""''"''" 
1......,.""""'_,.,. """~""' 122 
 
................. 
 
,,..................: 
--" ___0 .. ''""'""'"'"~ 
..... 
 
118 
 
N 
 
D 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
s 
 
0 
 
8 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators I December 1998 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Nov 
 
123,500 
 
130,300 
 
Dec 
 
123,400 
 
131,300 
 
Jan 
 
124,100 
 
131,700 
 
Feb 
 
125,000 
 
131,500 
 
Mar 
 
125,700 
 
131,900 
 
Apr 
 
125,900 
 
132,000 
 
May 
 
126,500 
 
132,200 
 
Jun 
 
126,900 
 
132,000 
 
Jul 
 
127,600 
 
132,000 
 
Aug 
 
128,400 
 
132,600 
 
Sep 
 
129,000 
 
132,900 
 
Oct 
 
129,900 
 
132,900 
 
Georgia Department of Labor