Metro Atlanta economic indicators, monthly report, Vol. 4, no. 3 (May 2001)

AT L A N TA

METROPOLITAN
Economic

Indicators

A Monthly Report of Atlanta Labor Market and Economic Trends

May 2001

Volume 4, Issue 3

Georgia Department of Labor
Michael L. Thurmond Commissioner

Metro Rockdale

P ic k e n s Bartow Cherokee Forsyth

Cobb P a u ld in g

G w innett B arrow

C arroll

D ouglas Fulton D eK alb
Cla yton

W alton Newton

Fa ye tte
Coweta

Henry

S p a ld in g

Atlanta
Economic
Indicators
Monthly Report Volume 4, Issue 3 May 2001

March 2001 Data
Cover art: Bulloch Hall, Historic Roswell, circa 1840 by Carol Hendley Foster, Roswell, 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 303031751. 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 / May 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 Bill Webb, Workforce Information and Analysis, Georgia Department of Labor, 148 Andrew Young International Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 303031751. 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 / May 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Consumer Price Index for the South

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

Jan
110.2 114.1 118.9 124.6 131.4 134.4 138.4 142.5 146.7 151.1 155.7 157.6 159.9 164.0 169.3

Feb 62.4 68.9 78.5 87.8 95.1 98.0 102.4 105.7 108.9 110.7 114.4 119.2 125.4 131.7 134.9 139.1 142.9 147.4 151.5 156.1 157.8 160.0 164.7 170.2

Mar
111.1 114.8 119.8 126.0 131.9 135.5 139.7 143.6 148.0 152.4 156.5 158.2 160.6 166.4 170.6

Apr 63.5 70.3 80.6 89.0 94.7 98.8 103.1 106.4 107.9 111.5 115.4 120.8 126.1 132.1 135.9 140.2 143.8 148.4 153.2 156.7 158.5 161.5 166.6

May
111.8 115.6 121.3 126.5 132.5 136.2 140.7 144.3 148.8 153.5 156.6 158.8 161.6 166.6

Jun 64.9 72.2 82.2 90.4 97.0 99.6 103.6 107.1 108.7 112.2 116.1 121.7 127.3 132.8 136.7 140.8 144.7 149.1 154.0 157.0 159.1 161.7 167.4

Jul
112.6 116.6 122.0 127.8 133.0 136.8 140.9 145.0 149.2 154.0 157.0 159.3 162.2 167.9

Aug 65.9 73.6 82.7 91.9 97.6 100.2 104.3 107.6 108.7 112.9 117.0 122.1 128.7 133.3 137.0 141.5 145.5 149.7 154.1 157.1 159.5 162.6 168.0

Sep
113.5 117.7 122.5 129.7 133.8 137.3 141.6 145.8 149.8 154.5 157.5 159.5 163.2 168.5

Oct 66.8 75.0 84.2 93.0 98.0 101.2 105.1 108.3 109.4 113.8 118.2 123.0 130.7 134.1 137.8 142.2 145.9 150.5 154.9 157.8 159.8 163.6 168.5

Nov
114.1 118.3 123.2 130.9 134.4 138.1 142.3 146.0 150.4 155.1 157.8 159.6 163.5 168.6

Dec 67.7 76.3 85.8 94.3 97.8 101.3 105.3 108.7 109.7 114.0 118.5 123.4 130.9 134.3 137.9 142.2 146.1 150.3 155.1 157.3 159.6 163.6 168.4

Rate 9.9 12.7 12.5 9.9 3.7 3.6 3.9 3.2 0.9 3.9 3.9 4.1 6.1 2.6 2.7 3.1 2.7 2.9 3.2 1.4 1.5 2.5 2.9

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

CPI South increased 0.2 percent during March

Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the South, increased 0.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, to a level of 170.6 (1982-84= 100), for the month of March, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the 12-month period ending in March, the CPI-U for the South increased 2.5 percent. Over the month, higher costs for housing and apparel were the primary reasons for the increase in the index. These increases were partially offset by a drop in the cost of transportation. Energy costs decreased 1.7 percent in March, as the costs for motor fuels and household fuel and utilities declined. The drop compared to increases of 2.3 and 1.2 percent in January and February, respectively.

Following is the formula for figur-

ing Consumer Price Index changes

from one point in time to another.

Index point change

CPI

112.5

Less previous index

108.5

Equals index point change

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%

Housing costs rose 0.4 percent in March. Higher costs for shelter (0.6 percent) contributed to the increase. Fuel and utilities costs decreased 0.2 percent over the month, as higher costs for electricity were

more than offset by lower costs for utility natural gas.
The index for apparel increased 3.3 percent over the month, which is typical of this index to record its largest gains this time of year. The transportation index declined 0.8 percent over the month. Lower costs for gasoline, combined with lower costs for new vehicles, brought the index to a level equal to a year ago.
The long-term trend of rising medical costs continued in March. The index rose 0.5 percent, after rising 0.6 percent in January and 0.4 percent in February. The majority of the increase was due to a 0.5 percent increase in the index for medical services. The remaining component is medical care commodities, which rose 0.6 percent in March.

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001 3

Metro Atlanta Index of Economic Indicators
174.6
Leading indicators Coincident indicators
152.4

130.1

107.9

85.7

1987-88 = 100

63.5

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00

01

Atlanta's Leading Index decreased slightly in March

The Georgia Department of Labor's Index of Leading Economic Indicators for the Atlanta Metropolitan Area decreased 0.1 percent in March, to a level of 147.5 from a revised 148.9, after seasonal adjustment. The average index for the first quarter of 2001 was 147.9, a .03 percent increase over the first quarter's average of 2000 which was 144.3.
Productivity softened during the month of March. The value of construction spending on nonresidential projects fell for a second consecutive month, to a level of $309,7 million. Nonagricultural employment also decreased 0.02 percent in March, after seasonal adjustment. Residential construction and construction employment decreased 18.62 and 1.79 percent, respectively ( compared to February's

Recent 12 Months
Leading Coincident
149.7

146.9

144.0

141.1 138.3

1987-88 = 100 AM J J ASOND J FM

The Leading Index reflects activity that will impact the economy for a duration of three to six months into the future. Coincident indicators measure current conditions.

data ) which contributed to moving the index lower. However, other employment sectors remained stable during the month of March.
The Index of Coincident Indicators also declined slightly 0.01 percent in March, to a level of 141.64 from a revised 142.55. For the first quarter of 2001 the coincident index registered a three month average of 142.85, which is 0.2 percent below 2000 first quarter's average of 145.18.
The unemployment rate for Metropolitan Atlanta was 3.1% for the month of March, matching February's rate. Initial unemployment claims decreased in March. However, claims remain above the previous year's level for the same time period. Thus far any softening in the economy has not translated into higher unemployment rates for Metropolitan Atlanta.

4 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Data Summary
March 2001 Data

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators

Mar 2001

Feb 2001

Mar 2000

Percent Change Feb 2001
to Mar 2001

Percent Change Mar 2000
to Mar 2001

Nonagricultural Employment

2,223,069

Wholesale Employment

181,642

Retail Employment

405,855

Services Employment

688,706

Manufacturing Employment

219,105

Government Employment

270,924

Construction Employment

119,732

Transp. & Pub. Utilities Employment

197,964

Finance, Insurance & Realty Employment

139,440

Business Services Employment

228,024

Health Services Employment

129,756

Social Services Employment

30,723

Manufacturing Workweek

38.7

Manufacturing Earnings

$550.43

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$313.10

Initial Unemployment Claims

10,071

Continued Unemployment Claims

76,174

Total Unemployment Rate (Not seasonally adjusted)

3.1%

Insured Unemployment Rate

0.92%

MARTA Passengers

6,433,000

Cobb County Transit Passengers

176,786

Residential Construction (household units)

5,197

Nonresidential Construction (value)

$309,722,000

Deflated Nonresidential Construction

$176,179

Hotel Occupancy

67.2%

Average Hotel Room Rates

$81.21

Deflated Average Hotel Room Rate

$46.20

Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate

7.11%

Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate

6.62%

Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate

5.83%

2,223,623 180,488 403,598 690,495 219,349 270,176 121,920 197,934 140,012 230,476 129,562 30,966 38.9 $554.88 $316.90 10,389 79,998 3.1% 0.86%
6,221,000 129,505 6,386
$329,048,000 $187,920 64.8% $81.24 $46.40 7.17% 6.74% 6.50%

2,216,669 179,379 402,572 687,639 227,781 272,236 118,338 189,925 137,927 230,473 127,809 31,211 40.5 $554.03 $326.47 6,019 51,222 3.1% 0.63%
6,703,000 140,823 5,801
$341,706,000 $201,359 64.8% $79.89 $47.08 8.37% 7.96% 6.93%

-0.02 0.64 0.56 -0.26 -0.11 0.28 -1.79 0.02 -0.41 -1.06 0.15 -0.78 -0.67 -0.80 -1.20 -3.06 -4.78
3.41 36.51 -18.62 -5.87 -6.25 -0.03 -0.43 -

0.29 1.26 0.82 0.16 -3.81 -0.48 1.18 4.23 1.10 -1.06 1.52 -1.56 -4.45 -0.65 -4.10 67.32 48.71
-4.03 25.54 -10.41 -9.36 -12.51 1.66 -1.87 -

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001 5

Nonagricultural Employment
2.3 1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

2.2

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 2.2

Apr

2,124,054

2,225,822

M ay

2,138,190

2,233,091

Jun

2,150,595

2,230,950

2.2

Jul

2,151,919

2,234,401

Aug

2,166,270

2,233,789

Sep

2,173,027

2,237,468

Oct

2,187,028

2,234,007

2.1

Nov

2,194,366

2,236,144

Dec

2,204,018

2,220,052

Jan

2,200,690

2,229,916

Feb

2,200,799

2,223,623

2.1

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

2,216,669

2,223,069

Wholesale Employment

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

183.4

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

180.5

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

M ay

Jun

177.6

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

174.8

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

171.9

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

175,323 176,188 176,661 178,710 178,842 179,220 179,258 179,651 179,387 178,203 177,702 179,379

180,470 179,722 181,436 182,491 181,897 182,540 181,711 181,782 179,446 180,091 180,488 181,642

Retail Employment

425.7

1999-2000 2000-2001

413.1

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

400.4

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

M ay

Jun

387.8

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

375.1

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

362.5

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

377,665 382,503 385,143 385,924 390,628 391,775 396,027 398,386 404,068 401,211 400,399 402,572

405,683 405,722 405,222 406,310 404,834 404,387 409,441 409,133 405,593 406,364 403,598 405,855

6 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Services Employment

717.6

1999-2000

2000-2001

700.5

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

683.4

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

653,400

692,837

M ay

656,718

692,025

Jun

663,866

694,036

666.3

Jul

665,382

696,955

Aug

672,449

695,790

Sep

672,074

697,213

Oct

678,286

694,387

649.2

Nov

680,198

696,167

Dec

682,415

684,244

Jan

680,728

696,826

Feb

683,200

690,495

632.1

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

687,639

688,706

Manufacturing Employment

233.6

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

229.4

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

225.2

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

M ay

Jun

221.1

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

216.9

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

212.7

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

226,820 227,324 227,668 225,189 226,572 226,329 226,540 227,163 226,747 228,775 227,841 227,781

228,063 228,271 228,533 227,601 227,791 228,193 227,675 227,212 220,616 217,770 219,349 219,105

Government Employment

287.6

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

279.5

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

271.4

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

259,213

273,289

M ay

259,192

277,849

Jun

258,057

269,742

263.3

Jul

257,336

266,338

Aug

256,695

267,707

Sep

262,650

269,868

Oct

264,446

267,835

255.2

Nov

265,767

267,240

Dec

267,748

269,848

Jan

267,786

268,177

Feb

269,701

270,176

247.2

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

272,236

270,924

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001 7

Construction Employment

127.5

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

123.6

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

119.7

Apr

112,673

117,776

M ay

113,735

119,199

Jun

114,648

118,516

115.8

Jul

115,634

120,514

Aug

115,750

121,557

Sep

116,178

120,225

Oct

117,037

117,899

112.0

Nov

117,242

117,628

Dec

117,102

119,081

Jan

117,065

122,950

Feb

116,387

121,920

108.1

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

118,338

119,732

Transportation and Public Utilities Employment

205.2

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

199.3

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

193.3

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

M ay

Jun

187.3

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

181.4

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

175.4

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

182,620 183,242 183,229 182,915 185,641 185,833 186,387 186,327 186,429 187,387 187,599 189,925

189,480 190,304 191,488 191,320 192,893 194,043 193,873 194,806 195,608 196,073 197,934 197,964

Finance, Insurance and Realty Employment

145.8

1999-2000

2000-2001

143.4

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

141.0

Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

Apr M ay

136,472 137,223

138,073 137,947

138.5

Jun

137,994

138,116

Jul

137,453

139,656

Aug

137,036

139,226

Sep

137,316

138,833

136.1

Oct

137,054

138,219

Nov

137,141

138,396

Dec

137,288

143,019

Jan

138,481

141,026

Feb

137,703

140,012

133.7

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

137,927

139,440

8 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Business Services Employment

244.5

1999-2000

2000-2001

238.9

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

233.3

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

223,132

232,792

M ay

223,538

230,707

Jun

225,996

228,652

227.7

Jul

225,886

230,302

Aug

230,287

230,796

Sep

230,231

232,261

Oct

232,383

227,089

222.0

Nov

235,406

225,826

Dec

234,764

233,224

Jan

229,307

237,429

Feb

229,547

230,476

216.4

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

230,473

228,024

Health Services Employment

136.4

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

133.0

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

129.5

Apr

123,164

128,347

M ay

123,195

128,939

Jun

123,732

128,976

126.0

Jul

124,137

129,684

Aug

124,770

129,935

Sep

124,875

130,936

Oct

126,333

131,110

122.5

Nov

125,698

132,361

Dec

125,899

126,949

Jan

127,090

129,064

Feb

127,706

129,562

119.0

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

127,809

129,756

Social Services Employment
34.1 1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

32.7

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 31.2

Apr

28,605

31,617

M ay

29,044

32,118

Jun

29,091

32,272

29.8

Jul

29,035

32,228

Aug

29,282

32,245

Sep

29,721

32,129

Oct

30,602

32,262

28.3

Nov

30,590

32,168

Dec

30,782

30,394

Jan

30,449

30,473

Feb

31,044

30,966

26.8

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

31,211

30,723

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001

9

Manufacturing Workweek

1999-2000

2000-2001

HOURS

41.6

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

40.6

Apr

41.0

41.4

M ay

41.2

40.1

Jun

41.0

40.1

39.6

Jul

41.2

39.6

Aug

40.7

39.9

Sep

40.9

38.7

Oct

40.2

39.8

38.5

Nov

40.6

39.0

Dec

40.4

38.7

Jan

40.5

39.2

Feb

40.1

38.9

37.5

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

40.5

38.7

Manufacturing Earnings

$590

1999-2000

2000-2001

DOLLARS

$575

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$560

Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

Apr

$541.99

$571.12

M ay

544.30

542.62

Jun

546.67

547.70

$545

Jul

546.23

541.13

Aug

539.92

550.67

Sep

555.89

539.07

Oct

534.19

560.07

$530

Nov

553.49

556.08

Dec

554.94

553.59

Jan

550.38

552.34

Feb

544.01

554.88

$515

M ar

554.03

550.43

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings
1999-2000 2000-2001

DOLLARS

$335

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$327

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

M ay

Jun

$319

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

$310

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

$302

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

$328.48 327.50 328.92 328.66 323.89 332.67 318.16 329.07 329.73 327.02 322.47 326.47

$333.79 316.95 319.73 314.06 319.05 311.96 322.43 319.59 317.97 317.44 316.90 313.10

10 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Initial Unemployment Claims
1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

12.1

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 9.8

Apr

6,328

5,755

M ay

5,703

6,848

Jun

5,951

7,454

7.6

Jul

6,879

6,851

Aug

6,383

8,054

Sep

6,245

7,050

Oct

6,372

7,531

5.4

Nov

6,283

7,694

Dec

6,349

8,018

Jan

7,041

11,771

Feb

7,361

10,389

3.2

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

6,019

10,071

Continued Unemployment Claims

101.9

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

87.2

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 72.6

Apr

51,703

54,121

M ay

48,430

64,530

Jun

56,237

51,960

58.0

Jul

46,519

60,800

Aug

63,232

60,917

Sep

51,275

59,395

Oct

51,991

71,422

43.4

Nov

62,161

60,067

Dec

52,107

63,229

Jan

64,099

84,799

Feb

55,856

79,998

28.7

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

51,222

76,174

Total Unemployment Rate
1999-2000 2000-2001

PERCENTAGES

3.7
Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted

3.2

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

May

Jun

2.8

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

2.3

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

1.9

Mar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

2.8 % 2.9 3.5 3.4 3.2 3.2 3.2 2.9 3.0 2.8 3.1 3.1

2.8 % 3.0 3.6 3.3 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.5 2.4 2.7 3.1 3.1

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001 11

iInsured Unemployment Rate
1999-2000 2000-2001

0.94
Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

0.83

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

M ay

Jun

0.71

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

0.60

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

0.48

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

0.62 % 0.61 0.61 0.63 0.64 0.63 0.64 0.63 0.64 0.70 0.64 0.63

0.63 % 0.64 0.65 0.66 0.69 0.69 0.67 0.69 0.77 0.83 0.86 0.92

MMARTA Passengers

7.5 1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

7.1

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 6.7

Apr

6,289,000

6,263,000

M ay

6,189,000

6,671,000

Jun

6,194,000

7,068,000

6.3

Jul

6,125,000

5,995,000

Aug

6,270,000

6,648,000

Sep

6,414,000

6,490,000

Oct

6,419,000

6,503,000

5.9

Nov

6,671,000

6,459,000

Dec

6,542,000

6,194,000

Jan

6,476,000

6,799,000

Feb

6,589,000

6,221,000

5.5

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

6,703,000

6,433,000

Cobb Community Transit Passengers

249.6

1999-2000

2000-2001

205.5

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

161.4

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

118,615

174,709

M ay

109,473

196,736

Jun

122,062

126,596

117.2

Jul

118,552

126,250

Aug

141,427

137,760

Sep

135,838

132,960

Oct

126,490

135,407

73.1

Nov

120,472

135,877

Dec

140,513

124,577

Jan

89,020

137,730

Feb

136,507

129,505

29.0

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

140,823

176,786

12 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Residential Construction
7.5 1999-2000 2000-2001

6.5

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

HOUSEHOLD UNITS ( THOUSANDS )

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

5.6

Apr

4,984

6,037

M ay

3,917

5,789

Jun

5,920

5,453

4.7

Jul

4,991

5,416

Aug

4,812

5,074

Sep

4,391

4,936

Oct

4,243

4,169

3.8

Nov

6,242

5,153

Dec

4,618

4,569

Jan

5,639

6,236

Feb

5,305

6,386

2.9

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

5,801

5,197

Nonresidential Construction

$710

1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

$587

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$464

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

$333,517,000 $559,751,000

M ay

344,342,000

368,432,000

Jun

357,596,000

546,766,000

$341

Jul

370,283,000

277,576,000

Aug

405,393,000

270,611,000

Sep

282,640,000

411,800,000

Oct

262,985,000

359,115,000

$218

Nov

272,326,000

253,203,000

Dec

448,218,000

313,388,000

Jan

306,194,000

348,961,000

Feb

249,729,000

329,048,000

$96

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

341,706,000

309,722,000

Deflated Nonresidential Construction
1999-2000 2000-2001

$341

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MILLIONS

$271

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Apr

$202,132,000 $327,148,000

M ay

207,185,000

215,206,000

$202

Jun

215,160,000

319,186,000

Jul

222,794,000

161,100,000

Aug

243,187,000

156,785,000

Sep

169,144,000

238,310,000

Oct

156,632,000

206,744,000

$132

Nov

161,906,000

145,519,000

Dec

266,321,000

180,005,000

Jan

181,933,000

200,552,000

Feb

148,031,000

187,920,000

$63

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

201,359,000

176,179,000

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001

13

Hotel Occupancy
71.4 1999-2000

2000-2001

68.5

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

65.5

Apr

67.65 %

63.50 %

M ay

67.43

64.38

Jun

65.95

67.42

62.6

Jul

67.10

67.97

Aug

64.21

67.05

Sep

67.01

67.78

Oct

67.15

64.59

59.7

Nov

65.72

65.51

Dec

60.26

62.09

Jan

66.84

66.06

Feb

65.07

64.83

56.7

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

64.78

67.17

Average Hotel Room Rates

1999-2000 2000-2001

DOLLARS

$91
Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 $85

Apr

M ay

Jun

$80

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

$74

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

$68

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

$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 81.21

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

$54

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

DOLLARS

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 $50

Apr M ay

$47.07 47.71

$47.79 45.49

Jun

46.61

46.42

$47

Jul

45.08

45.62

Aug

46.97

46.04

Sep

47.32

47.27

Oct

48.00

45.66

$43

Nov

48.46

45.49

Dec

45.35

43.83

Jan

Feb

$40

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

53.47 46.55 47.08

48.12 46.40 46.20

14 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

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

8.72

PERCENTAGES

8.06

7.41

6.76

6.10

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

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

Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month

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

N

D

J

F

M

* 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 7.11

8.40

PERCENTAGES

7.70

7.01

6.31

5.61

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

* Does not include points

Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate*

8.24

1999-2000

2000-2001

Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

Apr

6.58 %

7.87 %

M ay

6.47

7.78

Jun

6.69

8.27

Jul

7.17

8.01

Aug

7.23

7.87

Sep

7.55

7.78

Oct

7.48

7.63

Nov

7.45

7.48

Dec

7.35

7.45

Jan

7.65

7.09

Feb

7.78

6.74

M ar

7.96

6.62

7.50

Monthly Data

Not Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

Month

1999-2000 2000-2001

6.76

Apr

5.44 %

6.90 %

M ay

5.52

6.82

Jun

5.59

6.64

6.03

Jul

5.87

7.22

Aug

5.98

7.26

Sep

5.73

7.35

Oct

6.30

7.34

5.29

Nov

6.36

7.14

Dec

6.30

7.06

Jan

6.51

6.92

Feb

6.72

6.50

4.55

M ar

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

6.93

5.83

* Does not include points

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / May 2001 15

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