Metro Atlanta economic indicators, monthly report, Vol. 4, no. 7 (Sept. 2001)

AT L A N TA

METROPOLITAN
Economic

Indicators

A Monthly Report of Atlanta Labor Market and Economic Trends

September 2001

Volume 4, Issue 7

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 7 September 2001

July 2001 Data
Cover art: Gilbert Lambuth Chapel at Paine College, Augusta, Georgia by 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 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 / September 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 / September 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 98.8 103.1 106.4 107.9 111.5 115.4 120.8 126.1 132.1 135.9 140.2 143.8 148.4 153.2 156.7 158.5 161.5 166.6 171.4

May
111.8 115.6 121.3 126.5 132.5 136.2 140.7 144.3 148.8 153.5 156.6 158.8 161.6 166.6 171.7

Jun 64.9 72.2 82.2 90.4 97.0 99.6 103.6 107.1 108.7 112.2 116.1 121.7 127.3 132.8 136.7 140.8 144.7 149.1 154.0 157.0 159.1 161.7 167.4 172.2

Jul
112.6 116.6 122.0 127.8 133.0 136.8 140.9 145.0 149.2 154.0 157.0 159.3 162.2 167.9 171.6

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 for the South decreased 0.3 percent in July

The Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for All Urban Consumers for the South decreased 0.3 percent in July, not seasonally adjusted, to a level of 171.6 (1982-84=100), according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The index fell for the first time this year primarily due to lower costs for transportation. Energy prices decreased 5.1 percent in July, as the costs for motor fuels declined. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U, South rose 0.1 percent over the month.
Over the past 12 months, the CPI-U, South has increased 2.1 percent. Over half of the increase over the past year was due to higher housing costs. After increasing 1.2 percent in June, the housing index rose 0.1 percent in July. Costs for shelter rose 0.1 percent over the month, while costs of household

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%

fuels and utilities rose 0.3 percent. Among fuels, a decline of 5.4 percent in costs for utility natural gas partially offset a 1.7 percent increase in costs for electricity.
The index for apparel decreased 3.2 percent over the month. Since 1990, the

apparel index has recorded a series of monthly declines each year beginning in May and extending through the July pricing period. So far this year, the index has decreased 4.0 percent compared to a 3.6 percent decrease for the same period a year ago.
After increasing 2.2 percent over the first half of the year, the transportation index declined 2.5 percent in July. All components of the transportation index decreased, led by a decline of 11.4 percent in costs for gasoline. The decline in the index for gasoline is the largest single month decline for the index since March of 1986 and brings the transportation index to its lowest point in seventeen months.
Medical care costs rose 0.3 percent in July to a level 3.5 percent higher than a year ago. The increase was due to an increase in the index for medical care services and commodities.

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001 3

M etropolitan A reas
R anked by N um eric P opulation C hange : 1990 to 2000
T op 10 M etro Areas

Los A ngeles - R iverside - O range C ou nty , C A N ew York - N orthern N .J. - L.I, N Y, N J, C T , P A
D allas - F t . W o rt h, T X A tlanta, G A
P hoenix - M esa, A Z H ouston - G alveston - B raz oria, T X C hicago - G ary - K enos ha, IL , IN , W I W as hingt o n - B alt im ore, D C , M D , V A , W V San F rancisco - O akland - San Jose, C A
L as V egas , N V - A Z 0

500

1 ,0 0 0

1 ,5 0 0

T housands

2 ,0 0 0

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Atlanta, Georgia's MSA Ranks High in 2000 Census

The U.S Census Bureau published population data ranking the fastest growing metropolitan statistical areas (MSA)in the United States over the past decade. The Atlanta MSA ranked in the top ten. Everyone knew that the Atlanta MSA had experienced phenomenal growth in the last decade; however, it was not quantified by the Census Bureau until the 2000 census was completed.
The Atlanta MSA had the fourth largest increase in population of a metropolitan area in the nation; the region added 1.1 million residents to the area between 1990 and 2000. The population of the Atlanta MSA increased from 2.9 million in 1990, to 4.1 million in 2000. Over the ten year period the metropolitan area achieved a population growth rate of 38.9 percent, making it the eleventh fastest growing MSA in the nation (on a percentage basis).

The Atlanta metropolitan area consists of twenty counties that surround the city of Atlanta in a circular (shaped) cluster. Some of the counties in the metropolitan area experienced explosive population growth during the last decade, which had a significant impact on the region's growth.
Forsyth County, which is located on the northern side of the metropolitan area experienced a massive influx of 54,000 residents over the past decade. The population of the county went from 44,000 in 1990 to 98,000 in 2000. The residents of Forsyth County grew 123.2 percent during the ten year reporting period. The growth of Forsyth County has made it the fastest growing county in the state and second in the nation (on a percentage basis).
Henry County, which is located on the southeast portion of the Atlanta MSA also experienced phenomenal

growth. Henry gained 60,000 residents between 1990 and 2000 making it the fourth fastest growing county in the state (numerically). The population of the county increased from 59,000 in 1990 to 119,000 in 2000. The residents of Henry County increased 103.2 percent during the last decade, making it the second fastest growing county in the state and fifth in the nation (on a percentage basis). Gwinnett County, which is located on the northeast region of the Atlanta metropolitan area leads the area in population growth. Gwinnett added 235,000 residents over the 10 year period. The population of the county increased from 353,000 in 1990 to 588,000 in 2000, an increase of 66.7 percent. Gwinnett holds the state's number one spot for the county with the largest numeric population increase over the last decade.

4 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Data Summary
July 2001 Data

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators

July 2001 June 2001

July 2000

Percent Percent Change Change

June 2001 July 2000

to

to

July 2001 July 2001

Nonagricultural Employment

2,219,291

Wholesale Employment

183,186

Retail Employment

410,287

Services Employment

681,007

Manufacturing Employment

220,096

Government Employment

265,627

Construction Employment

119,511

Transp. & Pub. Utilities Employment

197,413

Finance, Insurance & Realty Employment

139,697

Business Services Employment

216,496

Health Services Employment

132,421

Social Services Employment

31,732

Manufacturing Workweek

39.2

Manufacturing Earnings

$574.87

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$323.87

Initial Unemployment Claims

11,858

Continued Unemployment Claims

123,380

Total Unemployment Rate (not seasonally adjusted) 3.4%

Insured Unemployment Rate

1.34%

MARTA Passengers

5,457,000

Cobb County Transit Passengers

175,748

Residential Construction (household units)

5,487

Nonresidential Construction (value)

$386,935,000

Deflated Nonresidential Construction

$217,992

Hotel Occupancy

60.8%

Average Hotel Room Rates

$75.20

Deflated Average Hotel Room Rate

$42.36

Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate

7.18%

Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate

6.73%

Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate

5.67%

Georgia Department of Labor

2,232,903 185,309 411,087 684,696 218,476 272,274 118,534 198,223 140,649 218,957 130,191 30,764 40.2 $583.48 $327.80 10,804 100,899 3.5% 1.24%
6,539,000 179,771 6,482
$290,681,000 $163,304 65.0% $82.01 $46.07 7.22% 6.77% 5.71%

2,203,998 178,901 396,628 685,642 222,468 260,779 122,405 191,813 142,776 236,804 126,357 30,492 39.6 $541.56 $313.40 6,851 60,800 3.3% 0.66%
5,995,000 126,250 5,416
$277,576,000 $160,634 68.0% $78.54 $45.45 8.16% 7.87% 7.26%

-0.61 -1.15 -0.19 -0.54 0.74 -2.44 0.82 -0.41 -0.68 -1.12 1.71 3.15 -2.42 -1.47 -1.20 9.76 22.28
-16.55 -2.24 -15.35 33.11 33.49 -8.30 -8.05 -

0.69 2.40 3.44 -0.68 -1.07 1.86 -2.36 2.92 -2.16 -8.58 4.80 4.07 -1.00 6.15 3.34 73.08 102.93
-8.97 39.21 1.32 39.40 35.71 -4.26 -6.79 -

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001 5

Nonagricultural Employment
2.27 1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

2.24

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 2.21

Aug

2,150,307

2,207,756

Sep

2,161,010

2,210,318

Oct

2,165,110

2,214,096

2.17

Nov

2,169,831

2,217,730

Dec

2,181,076

2,219,937

Jan

2,177,178

2,229,649

Feb

2,180,802

2,223,747

2.14

M ar

2,189,717

2,224,161

Apr

2,187,603

2,232,955

M ay

2,196,843

2,233,780

Jun

2,203,692

2,232,903

2.11

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

2,203,998

2,219,291

Wholesale Employment

191.0

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

186.6

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

182.3

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

Sep

Oct

178.0

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

173.6

M ar

Apr

M ay

Jun

169.3

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

174,799 174,397 174,325 173,981 174,925 175,967 176,547 177,023 177,091 177,469 177,948 178,901

178,573 179,126 178,964 178,999 179,803 180,060 180,530 181,774 185,920 184,781 185,309 183,186

Retail Employment

423.4

1999-2000 2000-2001

413.5

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

403.6

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

Sep

Oct

393.8

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

383.9

M ar

Apr

M ay

Jun

374.0

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

385,740 386,061 389,581 392,593 396,156 388,590 390,012 392,847 393,161 394,837 395,986 396,628

395,827 394,649 399,385 402,555 404,998 406,387 403,654 405,595 407,984 411,778 411,087 410,287

6 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Services Employment

717.6

1999-2000

2000-2001

701.8

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

686.1

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

658,211

683,187

Sep

662,947

685,468

Oct

665,046

686,496

670.4

Nov

667,258

688,714

Dec

670,863

684,848

Jan

680,244

696,587

Feb

680,489

690,355

654.7

M ar

681,174

688,743

Apr

678,175

690,425

M ay

679,445

688,247

Jun

685,415

684,696

639.0

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

685,642

681,007

Manufacturing Employment

232.7

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

228.7

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

224.7

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

Sep

Oct

220.7

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

216.7

M ar

Apr

M ay

Jun

212.7

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

226,817 227,338 226,472 226,624 227,585 223,665 223,032 223,415 222,160 221,476 221,564 222,468

223,859 223,287 222,052 221,192 221,188 217,659 219,125 219,237 219,049 219,279 218,476 220,096

Government Employment

281.6

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

275.3

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

269.0

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

257,531

262,447

Sep

264,267

267,327

Oct

262,179

268,992

262.8

Nov

261,642

268,548

Dec

262,353

269,478

Jan

261,483

268,056

Feb

263,084

270,653

256.5

M ar

263,951

270,687

Apr

265,024

272,463

M ay

270,120

273,977

Jun

265,272

272,274

250.3

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

260,779

265,627

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001 7

Construction Employment

126.5

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

123.8

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

121.0

Aug

115,957

123,257

Sep

116,373

121,707

Oct

115,689

119,390

118.2

Nov

116,242

119,024

Dec

115,945

119,007

Jan

116,353

122,963

Feb

117,198

121,916

115.4

M ar

119,330

119,714

Apr

118,994

118,571

M ay

119,517

118,355

Jun

120,611

118,534

112.6

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

122,405

119,511

Transportation and Public Utilities Employment

202.5

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

198.9

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

195.3

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

Sep

Oct

191.7

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

188.1

M ar

Apr

M ay

Jun

184.6

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

189,145 189,029 190,166 190,997 191,944 191,495 191,823 192,932 190,479 191,002 191,590 191,813

193,792 194,246 194,161 194,987 195,665 196,061 197,930 198,164 197,014 197,337 198,223 197,413

Finance, Insurance and Realty Employment

145.3

1999-2000

2000-2001

143.3

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

141.2

Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

Aug

138,130

142,828

Sep

137,910

142,353

139.1

Oct

138,142

141,470

Nov

138,577

141,406

Dec

138,523

142,389

Jan

138,348

141,110

137.1

Feb

138,191

140,125

M ar

138,065

139,794

Apr

141,521

140,346

M ay Jun

141,935 142,025

140,052 140,649

135.0

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

142,776

139,697

8 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Business Services Employment

247.4

1999-2000

2000-2001

239.4

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

231.5

Month Aug

1999-2000
223,226

2000-2001
236,422

Sep

225,776

236,526

Oct

227,358

236,141

223.5

Nov

229,291

234,311

Dec

229,053

232,054

Jan

237,852

237,880

Feb

236,712

230,679

215.5

M ar

235,287

227,689

Apr

230,304

226,107

M ay

234,044

222,922

Jun

235,722

218,957

207.6

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

236,804

216,496

Health Services Employment

135.7

1999-2000

2000-2001

THOUSANDS

132.7

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

129.7

Aug

124,488

126,468

Sep

124,929

127,386

Oct

124,484

126,997

126.7

Nov

125,130

128,272

Dec

125,796

127,609

Jan

125,467

129,051

Feb

125,263

129,412

123.6

M ar

125,433

129,375

Apr

125,595

129,080

M ay

125,013

128,878

Jun

125,540

130,191

120.6

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

126,357

132,421

Social Services Employment
32.8 1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

31.8

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 30.8

Aug

29,694

30,625

Sep

29,494

30,500

Oct

30,310

30,485

29.8

Nov

30,528

30,524

Dec

30,727

30,448

Jan

31,018

30,436

Feb

31,167

30,986

28.8

M ar

31,473

30,683

Apr

30,567

31,074

M ay

30,671

30,859

Jun

30,567

30,764

27.8

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

30,492

31,732

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001 9

Manufacturing Workweek

42.5

1999-2000

2000-2001

HOURS

41.5

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

40.5

Aug

40.7

39.9

Sep

40.9

38.7

Oct

40.1

39.8

39.5

Nov

40.6

39.0

Dec

40.3

38.7

Jan

40.5

39.2

Feb

40.2

39.0

38.5

M ar

40.5

38.9

Apr

41.4

38.6

M ay

40.0

39.7

Jun

37.5

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

40.1

40.2

39.6

39.2

Manufacturing Earnings

$603

1999-2000 2000-2001

DOLLARS

$585

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$568

Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

Aug

$540.36

$551.20

Sep

556.24

539.19

Oct

534.23

559.95

$550

Nov

550.92

553.62

Dec

554.69

553.32

Jan

551.00

552.94

Feb

544.27

555.30

$533

M ar

553.14

553.29

Apr

571.94

548.99

M ay

543.21

569.47

Jun

548.05

583.48

$515

Jul

541.56

574.87

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$345

1999-2000 2000-2001

DOLLARS

$336

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$327

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

$323.38

$319.35

Sep

331.29

310.41

Oct

317.61

321.81

$317

Nov

327.34

317.99

Dec

329.59

318.00

Jan

326.42

315.79

Feb

320.54

315.87

$308

M ar

323.09

314.01

Apr

333.88

310.34

M ay

316.74

320.46

Jun

317.16

327.80

$299

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

313.40

323.87

10 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Initial Unemployment Claims
15.0 1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

12.7

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

10.3

Aug

6,383

8,054

Sep

6,245

7,050

Oct

6,372

7,531

7.9

Nov

6,283

7,694

Dec

6,349

8,018

Jan

7,041

11,771

Feb

7,361

10,389

5.5

M ar

6,019

10,071

Apr

5,755

11,221

M ay

6,848

12,049

Jun

7,454

10,804

3.2

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

6,851

11,858

Continued Unemployment Claims

155.3

1999-2000 2000-2001

THOUSANDS

127.7

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

100.2

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

63,232

60,917

Sep

51,275

59,395

Oct

51,991

71,422

72.6

Nov

62,161

60,067

Dec

52,107

63,229

Jan

64,099

84,799

Feb

55,856

79,998

45.1

M ar

51,222

76,174

Apr

54,121

112,110

M ay

64,530

102,500

Jun

51,960

100,899

17.5

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

60,800

123,380

Total Unemployment Rate
4.1 1999-2000 2000-2001

PERCENTAGES

3.7

Monthly Data

Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

3.2

Aug

3.2 %

3.1 %

Sep

3.1

3.1

Oct

3.1

2.9

2.8

Nov

2.7

2.5

Dec

2.6

2.4

Jan

2.8

2.7

Feb

3.1

3.1

2.3

Mar

3.1

3.1

Apr

2.8

2.9

May

3.0

3.0

Jun

3.6

3.5

1.9

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

3.3

3.4

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001 11

iInsured Unemployment Rate

1.66

1999-2000 2000-2001

1.40

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 1.13

Aug

0.64 %

0.69 %

Sep

0.63

0.69

Oct

0.64

0.67

0.87

Nov

0.63

0.69

Dec

0.64

0.77

Jan

0.70

0.83

Feb

0.64

0.86

0.60

M ar

0.63

0.92

Apr

0.63

1.03

M ay

0.64

1.14

Jun

0.65

1.24

0.34

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

0.66

1.34

MMARTA Passengers

7.8 1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

7.2

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 6.6

Aug

6,270,000

6,648,000

Sep

6,414,000

6,490,000

Oct

6,419,000

6,503,000

6.0

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

5.4

M ar

6,703,000

6,433,000

Apr

6,263,000

6,284,000

M ay

6,671,000

6,578,000

Jun

7,068,000

6,539,000

4.8

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

5,995,000

5,457,000

Cobb Community Transit Passengers

249.6

1999-2000 2000-2001

205.5

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

THOUSANDS

161.4

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

141,427

137,760

Sep

135,838

132,960

Oct

126,490

135,407

117.2

Nov

120,472

135,877

Dec

140,513

124,577

Jan

89,020

137,730

Feb

136,507

129,505

73.1

M ar

140,823

176,786

Apr

174,709

149,578

M ay

196,736

170,072

Jun

126,596

179,771

29.0

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

126,250

175,748

12 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Residential Construction
7.5 1999-2000 2000-2001

6.6

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

HOUSEHOLD UNITS ( THOUSANDS )

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

5.7

Aug

4,812

5,074

Sep

4,391

4,936

Oct

4,243

4,169

4.8

Nov

6,242

5,153

Dec

4,618

4,569

Jan

5,639

6,236

Feb

5,305

6,386

3.9

M ar

5,801

5,197

Apr

6,037

5,355

M ay

5,789

5,884

Jun

5,453

6,482

3.1

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

5,416

5,487

Nonresidential Construction

$710

1999-2000 2000-2001

MILLIONS

$592

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$474

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

$405,393,000 $270,611,000

Sep

282,640,000

411,800,000

Oct

262,985,000

359,115,000

$356

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

$238

M ar

341,706,000

309,722,000

Apr

559,751,000

457,811,000

M ay

368,432,000

295,318,000

Jun

546,766,000

290,681,000

$120

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

277,576,000

386,935,000

Deflated Nonresidential Construction

$410

1999-2000 2000-2001

$341

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

MILLIONS

$271

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

Aug

$242,605,000 $156,785,000

Sep

168,338,000

237,075,000

Oct

156,353,000

206,388,000

$202

Nov

161,810,000

145,435,000

Dec

266,321,000

180,108,000

Jan

181,395,000

199,292,000

Feb

147,072,000

187,172,000

$132

M ar

199,595,000

175,779,000

Apr

326,766,000

258,796,000

M ay

214,829,000

166,189,000

Jun

316,416,000

163,304,000

$63

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

160,634,000

217,992,000

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001 13

Hotel Occupancy
71.4 1999-2000

2000-2001

68.5

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001

65.5

Aug

64.31 %

67.15 %

Sep

67.10

67.87

Oct

67.27

64.71

62.6

Nov

65.84

65.64

Dec

60.08

61.87

Jan

66.59

65.81

Feb

65.04

64.80

59.7

M ar

64.95

67.35

Apr

63.05

62.14

M ay

64.49

63.76

Jun

67.51

64.97

56.7

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

68.05

60.79

Average Hotel Room Rates

$97 1999-2000 2000-2001

DOLLARS

$91

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 $85

Aug

Sep

Oct

$80

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

$74

M ar

Apr

M ay

Jun

$68

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

$78.25 78.97 80.49 81.39 76.65 90.00 78.99 79.76 81.68 77.80 79.44 78.54

$79.40 81.58 79.20 79.02 76.69 83.74 81.77 81.08 78.26 81.32 82.01 75.20

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

$54

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

DOLLARS

Month 1999-2000 2000-2001 $50

Aug

Sep

Oct

$46

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

$42

M ar

Apr

M ay

Jun

$38

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

$46.83 47.03 47.85 48.36 45.54 53.32 46.52 46.59 47.68 45.37 45.97 45.45

$46.00 46.96 45.52 45.39 44.07 47.82 46.51 46.02 44.24 45.76 46.07 42.36

14 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001

Georgia Department of Labor

Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate*
9.25 1999-2000 2000-2001

8.67

PERCENTAGES

8.09

7.51

6.93

6.35

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

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

Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month

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

M

A

M

J

J

* Does not include points

1999-2000
8.03 % 7.90 7.86 7.72 8.04 8.19 8.37 8.28 8.12 8.55 8.26 8.16

2000-2001
8.04 % 7.95 7.81 7.79 7.45 7.17 7.13 7.02 7.11 7.22 7.22 7.18

8.43

PERCENTAGES

7.76

7.09

6.42

5.75

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

* Does not include points

Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate*

8.12

1999-2000

2000-2001

Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Month 1999-2000

2000-2001

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

M ar

7.87

6.59

Apr

7.78

6.62

M ay

8.27

6.70

Jun

8.01

6.77

Jul

7.87

6.73

7.48

Monthly Data

Not Seasonally Adjusted

PERCENTAGES

Month

1999-2000 2000-2001

6.84

Aug

6.26 %

7.35 %

Sep

6.30

7.34

Oct

6.36

7.14

6.20

Nov

6.30

7.06

Dec

6.51

6.92

Jan

6.72

6.50

Feb

6.93

6.22

5.56

M ar

6.90

6.00

Apr

6.82

5.83

M ay

7.09

5.79

Jun

7.22

5.71

4.92

Jul

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

7.26

5.67

* Does not include points

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / September 2001 15

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