ATL ANTA 
 
METROPOLITAN 
Economic Indicators 
 
A Monthly Report of Atlanta Labor Market and Economic Trends 
 
March 2002 
 
Volume 5, Issue 1 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
Michael L. Thurmond Commissioner 
 
 Metro Rockdale 
 
Pickens Bartow Cherokee Forsyth 
 
Cobb Paulding 
 
Gwinnett Barrow 
 
Carroll 
 
Douglas Fulton DeKalb 
Clayton 
 
Walton Newton 
 
Fayette 
Coweta 
 
Henry 
 
Spalding 
 
Atlanta 
Economic 
Indicators 
Monthly Report Volume 5, Issue 1 March 2002 
 
January 2002 Data 
Cover art: Herndon Home, Atlanta, 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 30303-1751. The telephone number is (404) 656-3177. 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner 
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Programs Auxiliary Aids and Services Available Upon Request to Individuals With Disabilities 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 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. 
Please note: Annually, employment estimates are adjusted to a count of all employees in a geographical area (known as benchmarking). Revisions to 2001, 2000 and 1999 nonfarm jobs have been completed. These newly bechmarked series are reflected in the current January data. 
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 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 
 
2 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Consumer Price Index for the South 
 
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 
 
Jan 
110.2 114.1 118.9 124.6 131.4 134.4 138.4 142.5 146.7 
 
Feb 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 
 
Mar 
111.1 114.8 119.8 126.0 131.9 135.5 139.7 143.6 148.0 
 
Apr 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 
 
May 
111.8 115.6 121.3 126.5 132.5 136.2 140.7 144.3 148.8 
 
Jun 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 
 
Jul 
112.6 116.6 122.0 127.8 133.0 136.8 140.9 145.0 149.2 
 
Aug 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 
 
Sep 
113.5 117.7 122.5 129.7 133.8 137.3 141.6 145.8 149.8 
 
Oct 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 
 
Nov 
114.1 118.3 123.2 130.9 134.4 138.1 142.3 146.0 150.4 
 
Dec 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 
 
Rate 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 
 
1996 
 
151.1 151.5 152.4 153.2 153.5 154.0 154.0 154.1 154.5 154.9 155.1 155.1 
 
3.2 
 
1997 
 
155.7 156.1 156.5 156.7 156.6 157.0 157.0 157.1 157.5 157.8 157.8 157.3 
 
1.4 
 
1998 
 
157.6 157.8 158.2 158.5 158.8 159.1 159.3 159.5 159.5 159.8 159.6 159.6 
 
1.5 
 
1999 
 
159.9 160.0 160.6 161.5 161.6 161.7 162.2 162.6 163.2 163.6 163.5 163.6 
 
2.5 
 
2000 
 
164.0 164.7 166.4 166.6 166.6 167.4 167.9 168.0 168.5 168.5 168.6 168.4 
 
2.9 
 
2001 
 
169.3 170.2 170.6 171.4 171.7 172.2 171.6 171.5 172.2 171.7 171.0 170.3 
 
1.1 
 
2002 
 
170.6 
 
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 
 
The CPI for the South Increases in January 
 
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the South increased 0.2 percent in January, not seasonally adjusted, to a level of 170.6 (1982-84=100), as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Over the past 12 months, the CPI-U, South has increased 0.8 percent, the smallest 12-month increase since the index began in 1967. 
January's increase is the first increase in three months. Higher costs for food and beverages, housing, and transportation were partially offset by lower costs for apparel. After three months of decline, energy costs increased 0.3 percent in January, reflecting increasing costs for motor fuels. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U, South rose 0.1 percent over the month. 
Over the year, higher costs for housing and food and beverages were partially offset by lower costs for apparel and 
 
Following is the formula for figuring 
 
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 
 
January. Shelter costs increased 0.5 percent, while costs for fuels and utilities decreased 1.5 percent, with electricity costs dropping 2.5 percent over the month. Costs for utility natural gas service increased 0.4 percent in January, but remained 25.4 percent lower than the level recorded a year ago. 
The transportation index increased 0.4 
 
Index point difference 
 
4.0 percent in January. Gasoline costs, the 
 
Divide by the previous index 108.5 largest component of the motor fuels index, 
 
Equals 
 
0.037 recorded a 3.7 percent increase over the 
 
Results multiplied by 100 0.037x100 
 
Equals percent change 
 
3.7% 
 
month, but remain 22.4 percent below the level recorded a year ago. Over the past 
 
12 months, the transportation index has 
 
transportation. Energy costs reached their declined 4.0 percent. 
 
highest level in June of last year, but now Costs for medical care continued to rise 
 
stand 14.1 percent below the level in January. The index rose 0.4 percent over 
 
recorded in January 2001. Excluding the month, reflecting a 0.5 percent increase 
 
food and energy, the CPI-U, South has in the index for medical care services. Over 
 
risen 2.0 percent since January 2001. the year, medical care costs have increased 
 
After several months of decline, the 3.6 percent. 
 
housing index increased 0.2 percent in 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 3 
 
 National Compensation Survey 
Atlanta, GA 
 
Average wage in metro area Electrical engineers 
Computer systems analysts Registered nurses Pharmacists Teachers, college 
Teachers, except college Lawyers 
Accountants Construction inspectors 
Receptionist Data entry keyers 
Auto mechanics Electricians 
Mixing machine operators Truck drivers 
Production helpers Supervisors, police and detectives 
Waiters and waitresses Nursing aides 
Janitors and cleaners 
 
$18.07 $33.32 
$29.75 $21.80 
$34.12 $36.06 
$28.34 
 
$19.68 
 
$16.90 $10.49 
$12.57 $17.31 
 
$18.31 $13.74 
$15.11 
 
$10.32 
 
$23.88 
 
$4.27 $8.79 
 
$9.65 
 
Mean hourly earnings 
 
$55.96 
 
Note: Data released October 9, 2001 by BLS 
The Average Wage in Metro Atlanta hits $18 mark 
 
Workers in the Atlanta metropolitan area averaged $18.07 per hour during January 2001, according to the survey released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS). 
White-collar workers averaged $22.09 per hour and accounted for 55 percent of the workers in the area. Blue-collar employees averaged $14.13 per hour and represented 30 percent of the workforce, while the remainder worked in service occupations and earned $10.81 per hour. 
The National Compensation Survey (NCS) presents straight-time earnings for occupations in establishments employing 50 or more workers in private industry and state and local governments. This NCS covered 337 firms representing 905,300 workers in the Atlanta metropolitan area. 
In the Atlanta metropolitan area, 
 
average hourly wages were published for 110 detailed occupations. Among whitecollar workers, pharmacists averaged $34.12 per hour; construction inspectors, $16.90; and receptionists, $10.49. Bluecollar occupations included electricians earning $18.31 per hour; mixing and blending machine operators at $13.74; and production helpers at $10.32. In the service occupations, public service police and detectives averaged $16.05 per hour; janitors and cleaners, $9.65; and nursing aides, orderlies and attendants, $8.79. 
The NCS also provides broad coverage of selected occupational characteristics. For example, full-time employees in the Atlanta area averaged $18.64 per hour and part-timers earned $9.25. Union workers in blue-collar jobs averaged $16.69 per hour, while their nonunion counterparts made $13.43. Private industry workers at establishments employing 50-99 workers 
 
averaged $14.98 per hour, while those in establishments with 500 or more employees earned $20.44. 
Data provided by the NCS may be used by businesses for establishing pay plans, making decisions concerning plant relocation, and in collective bargaining negotiations. 
Copies of the complete National Compensation Survey are available on the Internet at http:// www.bls.gov/ ro4news.htm and from the Bureau's fax-on-demand service by dialing (404) 331-3403 and re- 
questing docum ent9430. 
 
4 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Data Summary 
January 2002 Data 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicator 
 
Jan 2002 
 
Dec 2001 
 
Jan 2001 
 
Percent Percent Change Change 
 
Dec 2001 Jan 2001 
 
to 
 
to 
 
Jan 2002 Jan 2002 
 
Nonagricultural Employment 
 
2,148,782 
 
Wholesale Employment 
 
162,270 
 
Retail Employment 
 
393,894 
 
Services Employment 
 
661,658 
 
Manufacturing Employment 
 
213,300 
 
Government Employment 
 
277,911 
 
Construction Employment 
 
116,219 
 
Transp. & Pub. Utilities Employment 
 
181,321 
 
Finance, Insurance & Realty Employment 
 
140,649 
 
Business Services Employment 
 
201,810 
 
Health Services Employment 
 
130,877 
 
Social Services Employment 
 
33,911 
 
Manufacturing Workweek 
 
37.3 
 
Manufacturing Earnings 
 
$535.22 
 
Deflated Manufacturing Earnings 
 
$302.21 
 
Initial Unemployment Claims 
 
14,616 
 
Continued Unemployment Claims 
 
166,026 
 
Total Unemployment Rate (not seasonally adjusted) 4.4% 
 
Insured Unemployment Rate 
 
2.00% 
 
MARTA Passengers 
 
5,645,000 
 
Cobb County Transit Passengers 
 
186,592 
 
Residential Construction (household units) 
 
5,226 
 
Nonresidential Construction (value) 
 
$332,767,000 
 
Deflated Nonresidential Construction 
 
$187,898 
 
Hotel Occupancy 
 
59.9% 
 
Average Hotel Room Rates 
 
$77.81 
 
Deflated Average Hotel Room Rate 
 
$43.93 
 
Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 
 
7.03% 
 
Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 
 
6.52% 
 
Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate 
 
4.99% 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
2,147,497 162,368 395,442 663,531 208,484 277,667 114,719 181,429 140,207 204,204 131,098 33,752 38.9 $559.84 $316.83 13,885 189,033 4.2% 1.99% 
5,760,000 172,187 4,826 
$186,475,000 $105,532 55.3% $73.52 $41.61 7.17% 6.65% 5.26% 
 
2,199,393 170,504 398,320 687,922 215,961 270,538 119,720 193,645 141,392 231,751 125,934 32,180 39.1 $550.79 $314.56 11,539 78,839 2.9% 0.82% 
6,600,000 141,285 5,949 
$354,911,000 $202,690 65.0% $82.53 $47.13 7.17% 6.74% 6.50% 
 
0.06 -0.06 -0.39 -0.28 2.31 0.09 1.31 -0.06 0.31 -1.17 -0.17 0.47 -4.33 -4.40 -4.61 5.26 -12.17 
-2.00 8.37 8.30 78.45 78.05 5.84 5.60 - 
 
-2.30 -4.83 -1.11 -3.82 -1.23 2.73 -2.92 -6.36 -0.53 -12.92 3.93 5.38 -4.61 -2.83 -3.92 26.67 110.59 
-14.47 32.07 -12.15 -6.24 -7.30 -5.72 -6.78 - 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 5 
 
 Nonagricultural Employment 
 
2.25 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
2.22 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 2.19 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
2.17 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
2.14 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
2.12 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
2,160,306 2,171,265 2,168,400 2,176,197 2,181,190 2,182,146 2,190,815 2,191,073 2,195,286 2,200,703 2,204,842 2,199,393 
 
2,201,436 2,205,457 2,212,235 2,205,265 2,204,728 2,196,446 2,187,626 2,184,321 2,185,609 2,160,248 2,147,497 2,148,782 
 
Wholesale Employment 
 
180.9 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
176.2 
 
171.4 
 
166.6 
 
161.9 
 
157.1 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
Month 2000-2001 
 
2001-2002 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan J 
 
174,847 175,551 174,182 173,757 173,367 172,513 171,880 170,937 170,371 169,345 169,761 170,504 
 
169,542 169,720 169,364 168,736 169,520 170,210 167,889 168,089 168,062 167,416 162,368 162,270 
 
Retail Employment 
 
411.5 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
404.6 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
397.7 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
390.8 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
383.9 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
377.0 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
387,087 389,282 389,320 390,416 391,699 391,542 392,650 392,803 394,699 398,257 398,610 398,320 
 
398,616 400,920 401,984 401,803 401,290 396,967 396,531 395,769 395,528 394,349 395,442 393,894 
 
6 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Services Employment 
 
709.5 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
696.8 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
684.1 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
667,518 
 
687,678 
 
Mar 
 
671,889 
 
688,722 
 
Apr 
 
669,797 
 
693,171 
 
671.3 
 
May 
 
672,465 
 
689,963 
 
Jun 
 
679,515 
 
688,556 
 
Jul 
 
682,225 
 
688,432 
 
Aug 
 
686,911 
 
685,960 
 
658.6 
 
Sep 
 
688,611 
 
681,110 
 
Oct 
 
688,958 
 
681,820 
 
Nov 
 
689,450 
 
670,195 
 
Dec 
 
690,858 
 
663,531 
 
645.8 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
687,922 
 
661,658 
 
Manufacturing Employment 
 
229.6 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
224.0 
 
218.4 
 
212.8 
 
207.2 
 
201.6 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Government Employment 
 
286.0 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
Month 2000-2001 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul 
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan J 
 
222,745 222,763 222,639 221,858 222,571 218,876 221,181 220,284 219,354 218,679 218,388 215,961 
 
2001-2002 
216,332 215,752 213,394 211,695 211,596 210,996 210,224 210,013 210,737 207,678 208,484 213,300 
 
279.6 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
273.2 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
266.8 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
260.4 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
254.0 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
264,444 265,313 265,509 268,947 264,330 261,620 264,461 265,399 266,476 267,915 267,421 270,538 
 
272,243 272,965 272,995 272,817 272,967 270,500 268,116 273,845 274,057 275,806 277,667 277,911 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 7 
 
 Construction Employment 
 
128.1 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
124.6 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
121.1 
 
Feb 
 
115,485 
 
120,093 
 
Mar 
 
117,864 
 
120,265 
 
Apr 
 
117,417 
 
122,183 
 
117.6 
 
May 
 
118,011 
 
121,631 
 
Jun 
 
119,152 
 
122,045 
 
Jul 
 
119,997 
 
120,752 
 
Aug 
 
119,908 
 
122,476 
 
114.0 
 
Sep 
 
120,157 
 
121,443 
 
Oct 
 
119,460 
 
123,625 
 
Nov 
 
119,207 
 
118,467 
 
Dec 
 
119,098 
 
114,719 
 
110.5 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
119,720 
 
116,219 
 
Transportation and Public Utilities Employment 
 
207.1 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
200.2 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
193.2 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
186.2 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
179.3 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
172.3 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
186,863 188,361 189,198 189,770 190,148 190,386 191,791 191,839 194,155 195,982 196,488 193,645 
 
192,909 193,073 194,821 194,625 194,442 192,674 193,229 191,284 187,871 183,492 181,429 181,321 
 
Finance, Insurance and Realty Employment 
 
145.9 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
144.2 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
142.5 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
140.7 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
139.0 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
137.3 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
139,366 139,221 139,510 139,891 140,235 140,957 141,114 140,117 140,662 140,820 141,060 141,392 
 
141,711 142,343 143,418 143,536 143,978 142,551 142,019 141,658 142,105 141,056 140,207 140,649 
 
8 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Business Services Employment 
254.5 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
240.3 
 
226.1 
 
211.9 
 
197.7 
 
183.5 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Health Services Employment 
 
136.5 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 2000-2001 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan J 
 
226,870 229,981 225,188 229,320 231,241 233,704 236,420 237,307 237,776 236,095 237,132 231,751 
 
2001-2002 
229,301 229,264 226,603 225,539 222,177 223,289 222,957 220,140 216,269 204,182 204,204 201,810 
 
133.2 
 
129.9 
 
126.6 
 
123.3 
 
120.0 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Social Services Employment 
 
35.3 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
Month 2000-2001 
 
2001-2002 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 
J 
 
124,009 124,046 124,542 124,598 125,192 124,415 125,192 125,420 126,221 126,427 126,414 125,934 
 
126,943 127,363 128,711 129,493 130,653 130,221 129,892 130,478 132,458 131,142 131,098 130,877 
 
34.1 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 33.0 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
31.8 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
30.6 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
29.4 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
30,977 31,232 31,149 31,248 31,188 31,063 31,460 31,333 31,405 31,509 31,932 32,180 
 
32,164 32,188 32,128 32,021 31,950 32,622 32,100 32,960 33,386 33,895 33,752 33,911 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 
 
9 
 
 Manufacturing Workweek 
 
43.8 
 
2000-2001 
 
2001-2002 
 
42.2 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
40.5 
 
Feb 
 
40.0 
 
38.9 
 
Mar 
 
40.5 
 
38.9 
 
Apr 
 
41.9 
 
38.4 
 
38.8 
 
May Jun 
 
40.4 
 
39.6 
 
40.0 
 
40.1 
 
Jul 
 
39.5 
 
38.8 
 
Aug 
 
39.8 
 
39.6 
 
37.1 
 
Sep 
 
38.8 
 
39.8 
 
Oct 
 
39.9 
 
38.6 
 
Nov 
 
39.3 
 
38.9 
 
Dec 
 
39.0 
 
38.9 
 
35.5 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
39.1 
 
37.3 
 
Manufacturing Earnings 
 
$603 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$585 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
$568 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$550 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul 
 
$544.67 555.13 583.67 552.27 552.51 547.47 
 
$553.01 551.74 541.22 561.95 575.65 555.90 
 
Aug 
 
560.32 
 
561.00 
 
$533 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
$515 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
548.43 569.35 563.98 552.40 550.79 
 
569.47 544.90 543.04 559.84 535.22 
 
Deflated Manufacturing Earnings 
 
$356 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$342 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
$329 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$315 
 
Feb Mar Apr May 
 
$320.77 324.26 340.73 322.02 
 
$314.57 313.13 305.95 316.23 
 
Jun 
 
319.74 
 
323.40 
 
$301 
 
Jul 
 
316.82 
 
313.18 
 
Aug 
 
324.64 
 
316.06 
 
Sep 
 
315.73 
 
319.39 
 
Oct 
 
327.21 
 
306.64 
 
Nov 
 
323.94 
 
306.11 
 
Dec 
 
$288 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
317.47 314.56 
 
316.83 302.21 
 
10 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Initial Unemployment Claims 
25.5 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
20.4 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
15.3 
 
Feb 
 
7,311 
 
10,223 
 
Mar 
 
6,129 
 
10,221 
 
Apr 
 
5,608 
 
10,910 
 
10.2 
 
May 
 
6,705 
 
11,798 
 
Jun 
 
7,552 
 
10,967 
 
Jul 
 
6,861 
 
11,834 
 
Aug 
 
8,219 
 
13,049 
 
5.1 
 
Sep 
 
7,057 
 
12,523 
 
Oct 
 
7,534 
 
19,180 
 
Nov 
 
7,795 
 
17,429 
 
Dec 
 
8,228 
 
13,885 
 
0.0 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
11,539 
 
14,616 
 
Continued Unemployment Claims 
 
256.9 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
205.6 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
154.3 
 
Month 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
103.0 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
51.8 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
0.5 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
56,182 51,650 53,297 65,495 56,248 61,750 59,873 59,470 73,196 59,977 61,431 78,839 
 
80,310 76,932 110,332 104,108 109,620 124,874 123,371 131,061 190,425 164,254 189,033 166,026 
 
Total Unemployment Rate 
5.2 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
4.5 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Not Seasonally Adjusted 
 
3.8 
 
3.1 
 
2.4 
 
1.7 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
Month 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan J 
 
2000-2001 
3.1% 3.0 2.8 2.9 3.5 3.3 3.1 3.1 3.0 2.6 2.6 2.9 
 
2001-2002 
3.1 % 3.0 2.8 3.0 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.8 4.1 4.1 4.2 4.4 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 11 
 
 iInsured Unemployment Rate 
 
2.55 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
2.04 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
1.54 
 
1.04 
 
0.53 
 
0.03 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
MMARTA Passengers 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
Month 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan J 
 
2000-2001 
0.65 % 0.63 0.63 0.63 0.65 0.66 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.69 0.78 0.82 
 
2001-2002 
0.88 % 0.93 1.02 1.13 1.23 1.35 1.44 1.68 1.75 2.01 1.99 2.00 
 
7.8 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
7.2 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
6.6 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
6.0 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
5.4 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
Jan 
 
4.8 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
6,599,000 6,647,000 6,315,000 6,658,000 7,043,000 6,032,000 6,681,000 6,565,000 6,566,000 6,505,000 6,126,000 6,600,000 
 
6,228,000 6,378,000 6,335,000 6,572,000 6,512,000 5,481,000 6,196,000 5,994,000 6,043,000 5,916,000 5,760,000 5,645,000 
 
Cobb Community Transit Passengers 
 
235.9 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
205.7 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
175.6 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
145.4 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
115.2 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
85.0 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
137,406 138,882 172,616 195,133 125,437 126,747 136,845 132,248 138,910 137,090 123,707 141,285 
 
130,075 174,076 147,888 168,529 177,233 176,523 189,661 173,058 187,596 193,266 172,187 186,592 
 
12 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Residential Construction 
7.5 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
6.6 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
5.8 
 
Feb 
 
5,130 
 
6,144 
 
Mar 
 
5,708 
 
5,089 
 
Apr 
 
5,905 
 
5,201 
 
4.9 
 
May 
 
5,753 
 
5,799 
 
Jun 
 
5,465 
 
6,447 
 
Jul 
 
5,312 
 
5,390 
 
Aug 
 
5,211 
 
5,358 
 
4.1 
 
Sep 
 
5,066 
 
4,915 
 
Oct 
 
4,282 
 
4,939 
 
Nov 
 
5,083 
 
4,686 
 
Dec 
 
5,011 
 
4,826 
 
3.2 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
5,949 
 
5,226 
 
Nonresidential Construction 
 
$710 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$570 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
$430 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
$248,271,000 $324,993,000 
 
Mar 
 
351,021,000 
 
315,487,000 
 
Apr 
 
535,747,000 
 
430,876,000 
 
$290 
 
May 
 
392,505,000 
 
312,898,000 
 
Jun 
 
561,138,000 
 
299,961,000 
 
Jul 
 
254,659,000 
 
351,753,000 
 
Aug 
 
262,446,000 
 
306,256,000 
 
$150 
 
Sep 
 
387,210,000 
 
326,715,000 
 
Oct 
 
351,400,000 
 
347,295,000 
 
Nov 
 
263,093,000 
 
450,041,000 
 
Dec 
 
343,026,000 
 
186,475,000 
 
$10 
 
Jan 
 
354,911,000 
 
332,767,000 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
Deflated Nonresidential Construction 
 
$426 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$342 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
$258 
 
Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
$146,214,000 $184,865,000 
 
Mar 
 
205,036,000 
 
179,051,000 
 
Apr 
 
312,754,000 
 
243,570,000 
 
$174 
 
May 
 
228,866,000 
 
176,082,000 
 
Jun 
 
324,733,000 
 
168,517,000 
 
Jul 
 
147,372,000 
 
198,171,000 
 
Aug 
 
152,054,000 
 
172,539,000 
 
$90 
 
Sep 
 
222,919,000 
 
183,239,000 
 
Oct 
 
201,954,000 
 
195,439,000 
 
Nov 
 
151,116,000 
 
253,687,000 
 
Dec 
 
197,141,000 
 
105,532,000 
 
$6 
 
Jan 
 
202,690,000 
 
187,898,000 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 13 
 
 Hotel Occupancy 
 
76.4 
 
2000-2001 
 
2001-2002 
 
69.9 
 
63.3 
 
56.7 
 
50.2 
 
43.6 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
Average Hotel Room Rates 
 
$88 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
Monthly Data 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan J 
 
2000-2001 
64.84 % 64.68 64.21 64.79 67.60 68.51 66.95 67.40 65.82 64.76 60.70 65.05 
 
2001-2002 
64.85 % 66.92 63.47 64.03 65.04 61.16 63.66 51.34 58.12 55.98 55.29 59.85 
 
$83 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$79 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
$75 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
$71 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
$67 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
$78.06 80.22 82.01 78.01 78.64 80.99 78.41 82.28 79.89 79.24 75.75 82.53 
 
$80.68 81.33 78.87 81.42 81.28 77.39 79.49 72.01 78.51 74.70 73.52 77.81 
 
Deflated Average Hotel Room Rates 
$52 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$49 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
$46 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
$43 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
$39 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
$36 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
$45.97 46.85 47.88 45.49 45.51 46.87 45.43 47.37 45.92 45.51 43.53 47.13 
 
$45.89 46.15 44.59 45.82 45.66 43.60 44.78 40.39 44.18 42.11 41.61 43.93 
 
14 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
 Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate* 
 
9.38 
 
2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
8.65 
 
7.92 
 
7.19 
 
6.46 
 
5.73 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate* 
9.10 2000-2001 2001-2002 
 
Monthly Data 
Not Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
* Does not include points 
 
2000-2001 
8.37 % 8.28 8.12 8.55 8.26 8.16 8.04 7.95 7.81 7.79 7.45 7.17 
 
2001-2002 
7.13 % 7.02 7.11 7.22 7.22 7.18 7.01 6.82 6.62 6.72 7.17 7.03 
 
8.33 
 
7.57 
 
6.80 
 
6.04 
 
5.27 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
* Does not include points 
 
Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate* 
 
8.45 
 
2000-2001 
 
2001-2002 
 
Monthly Data 
Not Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
 
2000-2001 
 
2001-2002 
 
Feb 
 
7.96 % 
 
6.73 % 
 
Mar 
 
7.87 
 
6.59 
 
Apr 
 
7.78 
 
6.62 
 
May 
 
8.27 
 
6.70 
 
Jun 
 
8.01 
 
6.77 
 
Jul 
 
7.87 
 
6.73 
 
Aug 
 
7.78 
 
6.53 
 
Sep 
 
7.63 
 
6.35 
 
Oct 
 
7.48 
 
6.15 
 
Nov 
 
7.45 
 
6.24 
 
Dec 
 
7.09 
 
6.65 
 
Jan 
 
6.74 
 
6.52 
 
7.55 
 
Monthly Data 
 
Not Seasonally Adjusted 
 
Month 
 
6.66 
 
Feb 
 
Mar 
 
Apr 
 
5.77 
 
May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug 
 
4.88 
 
Sep 
 
Oct 
 
Nov 
 
Dec 
 
3.99 
 
Jan 
 
F 
 
M 
 
A 
 
M 
 
J 
 
J 
 
A 
 
S 
 
O 
 
N 
 
D 
 
J 
 
* Does not include points 
 
2000-2001 
6.93 % 6.90 6.82 7.09 7.22 7.26 7.35 7.34 7.14 7.06 6.92 6.50 
 
2001-2002 
6.22 % 6.00 5.83 5.79 5.71 5.67 5.57 5.38 5.05 5.05 5.26 4.99 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / March 2002 15 
 
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