Metro Atlanta economic indicators, monthly report, Vol. 4, no. 2 (Apr. 2001)

AT L A N TA

METROPOLITAN
Economic

Indicators

A Monthly Report of Atlanta Labor Market and Economic Trends

April 2001

Volume 4, Issue 2

Georgia Department of Labor
Michael L. Thurmond Commissioner

Metro Rockdale

P ic k en s Bartow Cherokee Forsyth

Cobb P a u ld in g

Gwinnett Barrow

C a r r o ll

Douglas Fulton DeKalb
Cla yton

W alton Newton

Fa ye tte
Coweta

Henry

S p ald in g

Atlanta
Economic
Indicators
Monthly Report Volume 4, Issue 2 April 2001

February 2001 Data

Cover art: Mallard, Huey J. Theus, Mableton, Georgia

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

Georgia Department of Labor
Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner
An Equal OpportunityEmployer/Programs Auxiliary Aids and Services Available Upon Request to Individuals With Disabilities

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001 1

Introduction
Metro 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, 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 in this report are seasonally adjusted except Average 30-Year, 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. 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 that 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. Workforce Information and Analysis welcomes comments, suggestions or questions concerning Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators. Please address letters to Stephen Matta, Workforce Information and Analysis, 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, Business Services Employment, Health Services Employment, Social Services 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, adapted from commentary by Michael Wald
Residential Construction and U.S. Construction Price Index -- U.S. Department of Commerce
Nonresidential Construction -- F.W. Dodge, McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group
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, NJ
Airport Traffic Data -- Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, Department of Aviation

2 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Consumer Price Index for Atlanta

YEAR JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG

1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

61.7 66.9 76.4 87.2 92.8 97.9 102.6 107.0 111.7
159.5 161.9 167.4 175.3

62.5 68.5 78.0 88.2 92.9 98.7 103.2 107.6 111.1
160.8 164.0 169.8

63.6 70.5 80.3 89.3 96.5 100.2 104.1 108.8 112.2 115.5 119.1 124.9 130.8 135.5 138.6 142.2 146.7 150.3 154.7 158.3 162.0 164.8 170.9

64.7 71.9 81.7 91.6 98.0 100.8 104.8 109.9 112.4
161.9 165.9 172.1

SEP OCT NOV DEC Rate

65.9 73.2 83.0 93.3 98.8 100.9 105.4 110.4 112.7
162.0 166.5 171.9

65.9 74.0 85.7 93.6 98.2 101.9 105.5 111.2 113.5 117.5 121.7 127.3 132.6 136.2 138.5 144.7 146.7 151.5 157.2 159.5 161.6 167.0 171.9

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% 1.4% 3.3% 2.9%

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

CPI Atlanta increased 2.0 percent since December

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Atlanta metropolitan area, increased 2.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted, over the two months ending in February, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the 12month period ending in January, the CPI-U for Atlanta increased 4.7 percent to a level of 175.3. Over the two months, higher costs were reflected in most of the major categories with five of the eight categories recording increases of 2.0 percent or greater. Among the special indexes compiled, energy costs increased 6.7 percent as

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

Percentage change

Index point difference

4.0

Divide by the previous index 108.5

Equals

0.037

Results multiplied by 100 0.037x100

Equals percent change

3.7%

consumers' costs rose for utility natural gas service. Food costs increased 2.4 percent for the same

time period. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U for Atlanta moved up 1.4 percent since December 2000. Among the major index groups, the food and beverages index rose 2.3 percent after recording a 0.2 percent increase in the November-December pricing period. Housing costs advanced 2.7 percent with both the shelter and fuels and utilities indexes contributing to the increase. Shelter costs increased 1.9 percent, and higher utility natural gas service costs were responsible for a 10.0 percent rise in the fuels and utilities index.
The apparel index rose 3.2 percent and the medical care index advanced 2.0 percent in the January-February pricing period.

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

3

ACCRA Cost of Living Index - 3rd Quarter 2000

METRO AREA

ALL ITEMS

GROCERIES

HOUSING

UTILITIES TRANSP.

HEALTH MISC.

New York, NY Boston, MA San Diego, CA Philadelphia, PA Riverside, CA Washington, D.C. Cleveland, OH Minneapolis, MN Pittsburgh, PA Chicago, IL Atlanta, GA Los Angeles, CA Dallas, TX Phoenix, AZ St. Louis, MO Baltimore, MD Tampa, FL Houston, TX

241.0 132.5 120.8 120.4 118.5 114.7 109.8 109.2 107.7 107.4 102.0 101.1
99.9 99.0 97.2 96.8 96.1 91.7

143.9 116.6 119.9 105.8 120.7 112.6 104.4 101.9 101.2 106.5 102.2 106.5
97.0 102.8
94.9 96.0 101.1 91.5

485.3

199.3

121.2

176.3

137.0

171.2

134.0

111.6

130.0

113.8

142.6

122.0

117.5

123.6

103.0

145.8

126.0

114.5

101.0

109.3

110.3

146.4

114.0

155.9

113.3

129.0

97.1

109.3

114.7

109.4

108.0

140.5

108.8

115.0

106.1

108.5

111.2

112.2

127.6

109.1

115.1

128.6

102.7

89.6

103.8

108.2

110.2

113.6

108.3

104.4

103.8

90.4

108.3

104.0

101.0

94.8

115.6

95.6

123.1

98.7

98.8

95.0

105.6

101.4

101.4

100.9

94.9

102.8

117.8

92.4

90.8

98.2

100.4

103.8

101.5

90.5

114.4

102.4

94.6

96.9

91.5

109.2

97.4

94.3

94.2

85.4

79.9

104.0

100.2

95.1

Source: American Chamber of Commerce Research Association

Atlanta's ACCRA Index Dropped 2.0 Percent in 3rd Quarter

Higher utility costs and economic expansion have had less effect on the cost of living in Atlanta compared to other major cities in the United States. The average cost of living for a professional / managerial lifestyle in Atlanta ranked eleventh in the third quarter of 2000 with an index of 102.0. The average index of all 311 metropolitan areas surveyed is 100. Published by the American Chamber of Commerce Research Association (ACCRA), the Cost of Living Index reported increases in transportation and the cost of miscellaneous goods and services, while housing and utilities showed sharp declines over second quarter. Grocery costs for the 20-county Atlanta metropolitan area where down 1.3 percent.
The ACCRA Index measures price changes in the areas of consumer

goods and services excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures. The survey is based on 59 items for which prices are collected quarterly by local chambers of commerce or economic development organizations in each urban area.
Among all 18 major metropolitan areas, Atlanta's transportation cost index of 108.3, was 0.9 percent lower than the average. The city with the lowest transportation costs was Los Angeles, with an index of 95.6, or 12.5 percent below the average for the three month period.
The composite index is a weighted average of six components, all of which are highest in the New York / Manhattan area. Among the 17 metropolitan areas excluding New York, the grocery items index ranged from 116.6 in Boston, to 91.5 in Houston. Atlanta's grocery index was 102.2, which is 1.8 percent below

the average. Housing in the New York/Manhattan area averaged nearly five times the cost of housing in Atlanta. Excluding New York, the average housing cost index was 128.3, 20.3 percent higher than Atlanta's index. From second to third quarter, the cost of housing decreased 8.6 percent in Atlanta. The index of utilities declined 9.1 percent from the second to third quarter, or 38.5 percent below the average. By comparison, Riverside, California, had the highest healthcare costs outside Manhattan, almost 15 percent over the average, while Pittsburgh was nearly 33 percent below average. The cost of miscellaneous goods and services in Atlanta was below the average at 101. This includes some apparel, entertainment and nonnecessity items.

4 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Data Summary
February 2001

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators

Feb 2001 Jan 2001

Feb 2000

Percent Change Jan 2001
to Feb 2001

Percent Change Feb 2000
to Feb 2001

Nonagricultural Employment

2,225,133

Wholesale Employment

180,387

Retail Employment

402,786

Services Employment

690,495

Manufacturing Employment

218,748

Government Employment

271,960

Construction Employment

121,304

Transp. & Pub. Utilities Employment

197,934

Finance, Insurance & Realty Employment

139,712

Business Services Employment

232,813

Health Services Employment

130,066

Social Services Employment

30,865

Manufacturing Workweek

38.8

Manufacturing Earnings

$553.04

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$314.59

Initial Unemployment Claims

10,389

Continued Unemployment Claims

79,998

Total Unemployment Rate

3.0%

Insured Unemployment Rate

0.86%

MARTA Passengers

6,221,000

Cobb County Transit Passengers

129,505

Residential Construction (household units)

6,386

Nonresidential Construction (value)

$329,048,000

Deflated Nonresidential Construction

$187,172

Hotel Occupancy

64.8%

Average Hotel Room Rates

$81.24

Deflated Average Hotel Room Rate

$46.21

Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate

7.13%

Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate

6.73%

Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate

6.22%

Georgia Department of Labor

2,229,916 180,091 406,364 696,826 217,770 268,177 122,950 196,073 141,026 237,429 129,064 30,473 39.2 $552.34 $315.44 11,771 84,799 2.7% 0.83%
6,799,000 137,730 6,236
$348,961,000 $199,292 66.1% $83.74 $47.82 7.17% 6.74% 6.50%

2,200,799 177,702 400,399 683,200 227,841 269,701 116,387 187,599 137,703 229,547 127,706 31,044 40.1 $544.01 $320.57 7,361 55,856 2.9% 0.64%
6,589,000 136,507 5,305
$249,729,000 $147,159 65.1% $78.53 $46.27 8.37% 7.96% 6.93%

-0.21 0.16 -0.88 -0.91 0.45 1.41 -1.34 0.95 -0.93 -1.94 0.78 1.29 -0.92 0.13 -0.27 -11.74 -5.66
-8.50 -5.97 2.40 -5.71 -6.08 -2.98 -3.37 -

1.11 1.51 0.60 1.07 -3.99 0.84 4.22 5.51 1.46 1.42 1.85 -0.58 -3.23 1.66 -1.87 41.14 43.22
-5.59 -5.13 20.37 31.76 27.19 3.46 -0.13 -

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001 5

Nonagricultural Employment
2.3 1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

2.2

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 2.2

M ar

2,103,699

2,216,669

Apr

2,124,054

2,225,822

M ay

2,138,190

2,233,091

2.1

Jun

2,150,595

2,230,950

Jul

2,151,919

2,234,401

Aug

2,166,270

2,233,789

Sep

2,173,027

2,237,468

2.1

Oct

2,187,028

2,234,007

Nov

2,194,366

2,236,144

Dec

2,204,018

2,220,052

Jan

2,200,690

2,229,916

2.0

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

2,200,799

2,225,133

Wholesale Employment

186.9

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

183.5

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

180.1

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

Apr

M ay

176.7

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

173.3

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

169.9

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

174,155 175,323 176,188 176,661 178,710 178,842 179,220 179,258 179,651 179,387 178,203 177,702

179,379 180,470 179,722 181,436 182,491 181,897 182,540 181,711 181,782 179,446 180,091 180,387

Retail Employment

425.7

1999-2000 2000-2001

413.1

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

400.4

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

Apr

M ay

387.8

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

375.1

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

362.5

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

377,588 377,665 382,503 385,143 385,924 390,628 391,775 396,027 398,386 404,068 401,211 400,399

402,572 405,683 405,722 405,222 406,310 404,834 404,387 409,441 409,133 405,593 406,364 402,786

6 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Services Employment

727.1

1999-2000

2000-2001

702.1

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

677.1

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

635,396

687,639

Apr

653,400

692,837

M ay

656,718

692,025

652.1

Jun

663,866

694,036

Jul

665,382

696,955

Aug

672,449

695,790

Sep

672,074

697,213

627.1

Oct

678,286

694,387

Nov

680,198

696,167

Dec

682,415

684,244

Jan

680,728

696,826

602.1

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

683,200

690,495

Manufacturing Employment

233.2

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

229.1

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

225.0

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

Apr

M ay

220.9

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

216.8

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

212.7

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

226,365 226,820 227,324 227,668 225,189 226,572 226,329 226,540 227,163 226,747 228,775 227,841

227,781 228,063 228,271 228,533 227,601 227,791 228,193 227,675 227,212 220,616 217,770 218,748

Government Employment

287.6

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

279.7

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

271.7

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

260,380

272,236

Apr

259,213

273,289

M ay

259,192

277,849

263.8

Jun

258,057

269,742

Jul

257,336

266,338

Aug

256,695

267,707

Sep

262,650

269,868

255.9

Oct

264,446

267,835

Nov

265,767

267,240

Dec

267,748

269,848

Jan

267,786

268,177

247.9

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

269,701

271,960

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001 7

Construction Employment

128.5

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

123.8

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

119.2

M ar

110,998

118,338

Apr

112,673

117,776

M ay

113,735

119,199

114.5

Jun

114,648

118,516

Jul

115,634

120,514

Aug

115,750

121,557

Sep

116,178

120,225

109.8

Oct

117,037

117,899

Nov

117,242

117,628

Dec

117,102

119,081

Jan

117,065

122,950

105.1

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

116,387

121,304

Transportation and Public Utilities Employment

204.3

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

198.4

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

192.4

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

Apr

M ay

186.4

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

180.5

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

174.5

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

181,466 182,620 183,242 183,229 182,915 185,641 185,833 186,387 186,327 186,429 187,387 187,599

189,925 189,480 190,304 191,488 191,320 192,893 194,043 193,873 194,806 195,608 196,073 197,934

Finance, Insurance and Realty Employment

145.7

1999-2000

2000-2001

143.3

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

140.9

Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

M ar

136,604

137,927

Apr

136,472

138,073

138.5

M ay Jun

137,223 137,994

137,947 138,116

Jul

137,453

139,656

Aug

137,036

139,226

136.1

Sep

137,316

138,833

Oct

137,054

138,219

Nov

137,141

138,396

Dec

137,288

143,019

Jan

138,481

141,026

133.7

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

137,703

139,712

8 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Business Services Employment

245.2

1999-2000

2000-2001

238.3

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

231.4

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

219,216

230,473

Apr

223,132

232,792

M ay

223,538

230,707

224.4

Jun

225,996

228,652

Jul

225,886

230,302

Aug

230,287

230,796

Sep

230,231

232,261

217.5

Oct

232,383

227,089

Nov

235,406

225,826

Dec

234,764

233,224

Jan

229,307

237,429

210.6

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

229,547

232,813

Health Services Employment

141.0

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

134.4

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

127.9

M ar

115,383

127,809

Apr

123,164

128,347

M ay

123,195

128,939

121.3

Jun

123,732

128,976

Jul

124,137

129,684

Aug

124,770

129,935

Sep

124,875

130,936

114.7

Oct

126,333

131,110

Nov

125,698

132,361

Dec

125,899

126,949

Jan

127,090

129,064

108.1

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

127,706

130,066

Social Services Employment
34.1 1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

32.5

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 30.9

M ar

28,001

31,211

Apr

28,605

31,617

M ay

29,044

32,118

29.3

Jun

29,091

32,272

Jul

29,035

32,228

Aug

29,282

32,245

Sep

29,721

32,129

27.7

Oct

30,602

32,262

Nov

30,590

32,168

Dec

30,782

30,394

Jan

30,449

30,473

26.0

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

31,044

30,865

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

9

Manufacturing Workweek

42.5

1999-2000

2000-2001

HOURS

41.5

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 40.6

M ar

41.0

40.5

Apr

41.0

41.4

M ay

41.2

40.1

39.6

Jun

41.0

40.1

Jul

41.2

39.6

Aug

40.7

39.9

Sep

40.9

38.7

38.6

Oct

40.2

39.8

Nov

40.6

39.0

Dec

40.4

38.7

Jan

40.5

39.2

37.6

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

40.1

38.8

Manufacturing Earnings

$590

1999-2000

2000-2001

DOLLARS

$575

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$560

Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

M ar

$539.30

$554.03

Apr

541.99

571.12

M ay

544.30

542.62

$545

Jun

546.67

547.70

Jul

546.23

541.13

Aug

539.92

550.67

Sep

555.89

539.07

$530

Oct

534.19

560.07

Nov

553.49

556.08

Dec

554.94

553.59

Jan

550.38

552.34

$515

Feb

544.01

553.04

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$346

1999-2000 2000-2001

DOLLARS

$337

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$327

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

$326.85

$323.80

Apr

326.11

333.60

M ay

327.50

316.76

$317

Jun

328.92

317.88

Jul

327.68

313.52

Aug

323.11

318.68

Sep

331.08

310.35

$308

Oct

317.59

321.88

Nov

328.87

319.40

Dec

329.73

318.15

Jan

326.25

315.44

$298

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

320.57

314.59

10 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Initial Unemployment Claims
14.4 1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

12.2

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

9.9

M ar

6,638

6,019

Apr

6,328

5,755

M ay

5,703

6,848

7.7

Jun

5,951

7,454

Jul

6,879

6,851

Aug

6,383

8,054

Sep

6,245

7,050

5.4

Oct

6,372

7,531

Nov

6,283

7,694

Dec

6,349

8,018

Jan

7,041

11,771

3.2

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

7,361

10,389

Continued Unemployment Claims

100.5

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

86.4

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 72.3

M ar

58,792

51,222

Apr

51,703

54,121

M ay

48,430

64,530

58.3

Jun

56,237

51,960

Jul

46,519

60,800

Aug

63,232

60,917

Sep

51,275

59,395

44.2

Oct

51,991

71,422

Nov

62,161

60,067

Dec

52,107

63,229

Jan

64,099

84,799

30.2

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

55,856

79,998

Total Unemployment Rate
3.6 1999-2000 2000-2001

PERCENTAGES

3.3

Monthly Data

Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

3.0

Mar

3.2 %

2.9 %

Apr

3.1

2.9

May

3.0

2.9

2.7

Jun

3.1

2.9

Jul

3.0

2.8

Aug

3.0

2.9

Sep

2.8

2.8

2.3

Oct

2.9

2.8

Nov

3.0

2.6

Dec

2.9

2.4

Jan

3.0

2.7

2.0

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

2.9

3.0

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001 11

iInsured Unemployment Rate

0.96

1999-2000 2000-2001

0.87

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 0.78

M ar

0.64 %

0.63 %

Apr

0.62

0.63

M ay

0.61

0.64

0.69

Jun

0.61

0.65

Jul

0.63

0.66

Aug

0.64

0.69

Sep

0.63

0.69

0.60

Oct

0.64

0.67

Nov

0.63

0.69

Dec

0.64

0.77

Jan

0.70

0.83

0.51

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

0.64

0.86

MMARTA Passengers

7.5 1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

7.1

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 6.7

M ar

6,464,000

6,703,000

Apr

6,289,000

6,263,000

M ay

6,189,000

6,671,000

6.3

Jun

6,194,000

7,068,000

Jul

6,125,000

5,995,000

Aug

6,270,000

6,648,000

Sep

6,414,000

6,490,000

5.9

Oct

6,419,000

6,503,000

Nov

6,671,000

6,459,000

Dec

6,542,000

6,194,000

Jan

6,476,000

6,799,000

5.5

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

6,589,000

6,221,000

Cobb Community Transit Passengers

242.8

1999-2000

2000-2001

203.4

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

163.9

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

127,349

140,823

Apr

118,615

174,709

M ay

109,473

196,736

124.5

Jun

122,062

126,596

Jul

118,552

126,250

Aug

141,427

137,760

Sep

135,838

132,960

85.0

Oct

126,490

135,407

Nov

120,472

135,877

Dec

140,513

124,577

Jan

89,020

137,730

45.6

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

136,507

129,505

12 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Residential Construction
7.5 1999-2000 2000-2001

HOUSEHOLD UNITS

6.5

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

5.6

M ar

4,961

5,801

Apr

4,984

6,037

M ay

3,917

5,789

4.7

Jun

5,920

5,453

Jul

4,991

5,416

Aug

4,812

5,074

Sep

4,391

4,936

3.8

Oct

4,243

4,169

Nov

6,242

5,153

Dec

4,618

4,569

Jan

5,639

6,236

2.9

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

5,305

6,386

Nonresidential Construction

$710

1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

$587

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$464

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

$539,021,000 $341,706,000

Apr

333,517,000

559,751,000

M ay

344,342,000

368,432,000

$341

Jun

357,596,000

546,766,000

Jul

370,283,000

277,576,000

Aug

405,393,000

270,611,000

Sep

282,640,000

411,800,000

$218

Oct

262,985,000

359,115,000

Nov

272,326,000

253,203,000

Dec

448,218,000

313,388,000

Jan

306,194,000

348,961,000

$96

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

249,729,000

329,048,000

Deflated Nonresidential Construction

$421

1999-2000 2000-2001

$350

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MILLIONS

$278

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

M ar

$326,679,000 $199,711,000

Apr

200,672,000

326,957,000

M ay

207,185,000

215,080,000

$206

Jun

215,160,000

317,334,000

Jul

222,125,000

160,820,000

Aug

242,605,000

156,604,000

Sep

168,338,000

237,075,000

$135

Oct

156,353,000

206,388,000

Nov

161,810,000

145,435,000

Dec

266,321,000

180,108,000

Jan

181,502,000

199,292,000

$63

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

147,159,000

187,172,000

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

13

Hotel Occupancy
72.0 1999-2000

2000-2001

68.9

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

65.9

M ar

66.54 %

64.78 %

Apr

67.65

63.50

M ay

67.43

64.38

62.8

Jun

65.95

67.42

Jul

67.10

67.97

Aug

64.21

67.05

Sep

67.01

67.78

59.8

Oct

67.15

64.59

Nov

65.72

65.51

Dec

60.26

62.09

Jan

66.84

66.06

56.7

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

65.07

64.83

Average Hotel Room Rates
$97 1999-2000 2000-2001

DOLLARS

$91

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 $86

M ar

Apr

M ay

$80

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

$74

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

$69

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

$79.83 77.66 79.30 77.47 74.93 78.30 79.07 80.59 81.51 76.33 90.00 78.53

$79.89 81.76 77.88 79.51 78.61 79.46 81.68 79.31 79.14 76.32 83.74 81.24

Deflated Average Hotel Room Rates
$58 1999-2000 2000-2001

$54

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

DOLLARS

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 $50

M ar

$48.38

$46.69

Apr

46.73

47.76

M ay

47.71

45.46

$47

Jun

46.61

46.15

Jul

44.95

45.54

Aug

46.86

45.99

Sep

47.10

47.03

$43

Oct

47.92

45.58

Nov

48.43

45.46

Dec

Jan

$40

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

45.35 53.35 46.27

43.86 47.82 46.21

14 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate*
9.37 1999-2000 2000-2001

8.68

PERCENTAGES

7.98

7.29

6.59

5.90

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate*
9.10 1999-2000 2000-2001

Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month

M ar Apr M ay Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

O

N

D

J

F

* Does not include points

1999-2000
7.00 % 6.89 7.09 7.56 7.68 8.03 7.90 7.86 7.72 8.04 8.19 8.37

2000-2001
8.28 % 8.12 8.55 8.26 8.16 8.04 7.95 7.81 7.79 7.45 7.17 7.13

8.38

PERCENTAGES

7.66

6.95

6.23

5.51

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

* Does not include points

Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate*

8.28

1999-2000

2000-2001

Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

M ar

6.58 %

7.87 %

Apr

6.47

7.78

M ay

6.69

8.27

Jun

7.17

8.01

Jul

7.23

7.87

Aug

7.55

7.78

Sep

7.48

7.63

Oct

7.45

7.48

Nov

7.35

7.45

Dec

7.65

7.09

Jan

7.78

6.74

Feb

7.96

6.73

7.51

Monthly Data

Not Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

Month

1999-2000 2000-2001

6.73

M ar

5.44 %

6.90 %

Apr

5.52

6.82

M ay

5.59

6.64

5.96

Jun

5.87

7.22

Jul

5.98

7.26

Aug

5.73

7.35

Sep

6.30

7.34

5.19

Oct

6.36

7.14

Nov

6.30

7.06

Dec

6.51

6.92

Jan

6.72

6.50

4.42

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

6.93

6.22

* Does not include points

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2001 15

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