ATL ANTA

METROPOLITAN
Economic Indicators

A Monthly Report of Atlanta Labor Market and Economic Trends

April 2002

Volume 5, Issue 2

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 2 April 2002

February 2002 Data
Cover art: Mable House, Mableton, 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 Opportunity Employer/Programs Auxiliary Aids and Services Available Upon Request to Individuals With Disabilities

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 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 the Georgia 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

2 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002

Georgia Department of Labor

Consumer Price Index for Atlanta

1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
1984

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Rate

61.7 66.9

62.5 68.5

63.6 70.5

64.7 71.9

65.9 73.2

65.9 74

7.7 12.3

76.4

78

80.3

81.7

83

85.7

15.8

87.2

88.2

89.3

91.6

93.3

93.6

9.2

92.8

92.9

96.5

98

98.8

98.2

4.9

97.9

98.7

100.2

100.8

100.9

101.9

3.8

102.6

103.2

104.1

104.8

105.4

105.5

3.5

1985

107

107.6

108.8

109.9

110.4

111.2

5.4

1986

111.7

111.1

112.2

112.4

112.7

113.5

2.1

1987

115.5

117.5

3.5

1988

119.1

121.7

3.6

1989

124.9

127.3

4.6

1990

130.8

132.6

4.2

1991

135.5

136.2

2.7

1992

138.6

138.5

1.7

1993

142.2

144.7

4.5

1994

146.7

146.7

1.4

1995

150.3

151.5

3.3

1996

154.7

157.2

3.8

1997

158.3

159.5

1.5

1998

159.5

160.8

162

161.9

162

161.6

1.4

1999

161.9

164

164.8

165.9

166.5

167

3.3

2000

167.4

169.8

170.9

172.1

171.9

171.9

2.9

2001

175.3

176.6

177.8

176.9

176.7

174.8

1.7

2002

176.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Consumer Price Index for Atlanta

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for Atlanta increased 0.7 percent over the two months ending in February to a level of 176.1 (1982-84=100), not seasonally adjusted, as recently reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. For the 12-month period ending in February, the CPI-U for Atlanta increased 0.5 percent.
Over the two months, the all items index reflected higher costs for apparel. February marked the first two-month increase in the all items index since June 2001. The 0.5 percent increase for the 12 months ending in February compares to a 4.7 percent increase recorded for the same 12 month period ending in February 2001.
The energy index increased 0.6 percent over the most recent two months, due to higher costs for motor fuel. Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U for Atlanta

rose 0.9 percent over the past two months, declining 4.5 percent in the November-

the largest two-month increase for this December period. The large increase in

index since February 2001. Over the past this volatile index reversed the 8.4 percent

12 months, the all items less food and decline posted from April through

energy index rose 1.9 percent.

December 2001, and moved the index to

Housing costs registered a 0.2 percent its highest point since April 1998. With

decrease, reflecting lower costs for the most recent increase, apparel costs

household fuels and utilities. Shelter costs have risen 5.8 percent since February

increased a slight 0.1 percent. Household 2001.

fuels and utilities costs continued their Transportation costs rose 0.4 percent

downward trend that began in August after declining 3.7 percent in the

2001. The index declined 2.1 percent in November-December pricing period. The

the January-February pricing period as index's increase reflected higher costs for

electricity costs dropped 1.5 percent and motor fuel, which climbed 6.5 percent

utility natural gas service declined 4.5 over the past two months.

percent. Over the 12 months ending in The medical care index rose 0.8 percent

February, the housing index has declined after declining 1.5 percent in the

0.2 percent. While shelter costs rose 1.9 November-December pricing period.

percent, fuels and utilities costs dropped With the most recent rise, consumers'

10.6 percent, and household furnishings costs for medical care in the Atlanta area

and operations costs declined 1.2 percent. now stand 0.7 percent higher than they

Apparel costs rose 14.5 percent in the were in February 2001, the smallest 12

January-February pricing period after month ( bi-monthly) increase since 1998.

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002 3

Retail Gasoline Prices of Selected Metropolitan Areas, March 2002

Source: BLS, "Price & Living Conditions: Average Price Data."
Atlantans Pay Less at the Pump

As the summer vacation season approaches, Atlantans enjoy paying the lowest retail prices for gasoline in select metropolitan areas across the nation. Atlantans in the metro area paid on average $1.09 per gallon for gasoline during the month of March, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a division of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Georgia increased 8.9 cents in March to an average of $1.07 per gallon, compared to $1.31 one year ago. Mid-grade unleaded rose 9.6 cents to an average of $1.16 per gallon. Premium unleaded climbed 9.9 cents to an average $1.21 and Diesel rose 4.3 cents to an average $1.15 per gallon.
The typical U.S.city pays on average $1.34 per gallon for gasoline. According to the U.S. Department of

Transportation, personal gasoline consumption breaks down like this: earning a living (to and from work):37.7%; family business: 35.5%; social and recreation: 22.8%; school and religious: 3.8%; Other:0.2%.
Nationwide the U.S. imports about 50% of its required crude oil and about half of that amount comes from OPEC

(Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries).
Crude oil costs represent the single largest component of the retail price for gas, accounting for about 43% of the price at the pump for regular grade gasoline, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Self-Serve Unleaded Average Prices for Georgia Metro Areas

Metro Area

Regular

Mid

Premium

Atlanta

1.068

1.149

1.200

Augusta

1.060

1.140

1.190

Columbus

1.062

1.142

1.192

Macon

1.072

1.153

1.204

Savannah

1.135

1.220

1.275

State Average

1.079

1.160

1.211

Diesel 1.180 1.115 1.115 1.092 1.126 1.151

4 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002

Georgia Department of Labor

Data Summary
February 2002 Data

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators

Feb 2002

Jan 2002

Feb 2001

Percent Percent Change Change

Jan 2002 Feb 2001

to

to

Feb 2002 Feb 2002

Nonagricultural Employment

2,140,813

Wholesale Employment

162,221

Retail Employment

384,672

Services Employment

668,512

Manufacturing Employment

210,663

Government Employment

276,537

Construction Employment

113,928

Transp. & Pub. Utilities Employment

177,664

Finance, Insurance & Realty Employment

143,893

Business Services Employment

203,700

Health Services Employment

133,379

Social Services Employment

34,550

Manufacturing Workweek

38.0

Manufacturing Earnings

$538.59

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$302.92

Initial Unemployment Claims

12,464

Continued Unemployment Claims

181,110

Total Unemployment Rate (not seasonally adjusted) 4.5%

Insured Unemployment Rate

2.02%

MARTA Passengers

5,621,000

Cobb County Transit Passengers

170,281

Residential Construction (household units)

5,070

Nonresidential Construction (value)

$347,867,000

Deflated Nonresidential Construction

$195,651

Hotel Occupancy

59.5%

Average Hotel Room Rates

$75.67

Deflated Average Hotel Room Rate

$42.56

Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate

6.85%

Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate

6.37%

Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate

4.84%

Georgia Department of Labor

2,137,649 163,076 386,814 662,269 212,496 276,408 114,884 179,208 140,850 202,527 130,877 34,620 38.9 $552.14 $311.77 14,616 166,026 4.4% 2.00%
5,645,000 186,592 5,226
$332,767,000 $187,898 59.9% $77.81 $43.93 7.03% 6.52% 4.99%

2,201,436 169,542 398,616 687,678 216,332 272,243 120,093 192,909 141,711 229,301 126,943 32,164 38.9 $553.01 $314.57 10,223 80,310 3.1% 0.88%
6,228,000 130,075 6,144
$324,993,000 $184,865 64.9% $80.68 $45.89 7.13% 6.73% 6.22%

0.15 -0.52 -0.55 0.94 -0.86 0.05 -0.83 -0.86 2.16 0.58 1.91 -0.20 -2.23 -2.45 -2.84 -14.72 9.09
-0.43 -8.74 -2.99 4.54 4.13 -2.75 -3.13 -

-2.75 -4.32 -3.50 -2.79 -2.62 1.58 -5.13 -7.90 1.54 -11.16 5.07 7.42 -2.31 -2.61 -3.70 21.91 125.51
-9.75 30.91 -17.48 7.04 5.83 -6.20 -7.26 -

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002 5

Nonagricultural Employment

2.25

2000-2001 2001-2002

2.22

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 2.19

Mar

Apr

May

2.16

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

2.14

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

2.11

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

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 2,137,649 2,140,813

Wholesale Employment

180.9

2000-2001 2001-2002

176.2

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

171.4

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

166.6

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

161.9

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

157.1

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

175,551 174,182 173,757 173,367 172,513 171,880 170,937 170,371 169,345 169,761 170,504 169,542

169,720 169,364 168,736 169,520 170,210 167,889 168,089 168,062 167,416 162,368 163,076 162,221

Retail Employment

410.2

2000-2001 2001-2002

403.6

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

396.9

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

390.3

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

383.6

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

377.0

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

389,282 389,320 390,416 391,699 391,542 392,650 392,803 394,699 398,257 398,610 398,320 398,616

400,920 401,984 401,803 401,290 396,967 396,531 395,769 395,528 394,349 395,442 386,814 384,672

6 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 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

Mar

671,889

688,722

Apr

669,797

693,171

May

672,465

689,963

671.3

Jun

679,515

688,556

Jul

682,225

688,432

Aug

686,911

685,960

Sep

688,611

681,110

658.6

Oct

688,958

681,820

Nov

689,450

670,195

Dec

690,858

663,531

Jan

687,922

662,269

645.8

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

687,678

668,512

Manufacturing Employment

229.6

2000-2001 2001-2002

224.0

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

218.4

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

212.8

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

207.2

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

201.6

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

222,763 222,639 221,858 222,571 218,876 221,181 220,284 219,354 218,679 218,388 215,961 216,332

215,752 213,394 211,695 211,596 210,996 210,224 210,013 210,737 207,678 208,484 212,496 210,663

Government Employment

285.5

2000-2001 2001-2002

279.3

273.1

267.0

260.8

254.7

M

A

M

J

Georgia Department of Labor

J

A

S

O

N

D

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted
Month 2000-2001

2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

J

F

265,313 265,509 268,947 264,330 261,620 264,461 265,399 266,476 267,915 267,421 270,538 272,243

272,965 272,995 272,817 272,967 270,500 268,116 273,845 274,057 275,806 277,667 276,408 276,537

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002 7

Construction Employment

128.1

2000-2001 2001-2002

124.5

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

120.8

Mar

117,864

120,265

Apr

117,417

122,183

May

118,011

121,631

117.1

Jun

119,152

122,045

Jul

119,997

120,752

Aug

119,908

122,476

Sep

120,157

121,443

113.5

Oct

119,460

123,625

Nov

119,207

118,467

Dec

119,098

114,719

Jan

119,720

114,884

109.8

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

120,093

113,928

Transportation and Public Utilities Employment

205.7

2000-2001 2001-2002

198.5

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

191.2

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

184.0

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

176.8

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

169.5

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

188,361 189,198 189,770 190,148 190,386 191,791 191,839 194,155 195,982 196,488 193,645 192,909

193,073 194,821 194,625 194,442 192,674 193,229 191,284 187,871 183,492 181,429 179,208 177,664

Finance, Insurance and Realty Employment

145.9

2000-2001 2001-2002

144.2

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

142.5

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

140.7

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

139.0

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

137.3

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

139,221 139,510 139,891 140,235 140,957 141,114 140,117 140,662 140,820 141,060 141,392 141,711

142,343 143,418 143,536 143,978 142,551 142,019 141,658 142,105 141,056 140,207 140,850 143,893

8 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002

Georgia Department of Labor

Business Services Employment
254.6 2000-2001 2001-2002

240.9

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

227.3

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

213.6

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

200.0

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

186.3

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

229,981 225,188 229,320 231,241 233,704 236,420 237,307 237,776 236,095 237,132 231,751 229,301

229,264 226,603 225,539 222,177 223,289 222,957 220,140 216,269 204,182 204,204 202,527 203,700

Health Services Employment

137.1

2000-2001 2001-2002

133.7

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

130.3

126.9

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

124,046 124,542 124,598 125,192 124,415 125,192

127,363 128,711 129,493 130,653 130,221 129,892

Sep

125,420

130,478

123.5

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

120.0

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

126,221 126,427 126,414 125,934 126,943

132,458 131,142 131,098 130,877 133,379

Social Services Employment

36.1

2000-2001 2001-2002

34.8

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002 33.5

Mar

Apr

May

32.1

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

30.8

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

29.4

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

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 34,620 34,550

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002

9

Manufacturing Workweek

43.8

2000-2001

2001-2002

42.3

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

40.8

Mar

40.5

38.9

Apr

41.9

38.4

May

40.4

39.6

39.2

Jun

40.0

40.1

Jul

39.5

38.8

Aug

39.8

39.6

Sep

38.8

39.8

37.7

Oct

39.9

38.6

Nov

39.3

38.9

Dec

39.0

38.9

Jan

39.1

38.9

36.1

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

38.9

38.0

Manufacturing Earnings

$603

2000-2001 2001-2002

$586

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$569

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

$552

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

$555.13 583.67 552.27 552.51 547.47 560.32

$551.74 541.22 561.95 575.65 555.90 561.00

Sep

548.43

569.47

$535

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

$519

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

569.35 563.98 552.40 550.79 553.01

544.90 543.04 559.84 552.14 538.59

Deflated Manufacturing Earnings

$356

2000-2001 2001-2002

$342

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$329

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

$315

Mar Apr May Jun

$324.26 340.73 322.02 319.74

$313.13 305.95 316.23 323.40

Jul

316.82

313.18

$301

Aug

324.64

316.06

Sep

315.73

319.39

Oct

327.21

306.64

Nov

323.94

306.11

Dec

317.47

316.83

Jan

$288

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

314.56 314.57

311.77 302.92

10 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 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

Mar

6,129

10,221

Apr

5,608

10,910

May

6,705

11,798

10.2

Jun

7,552

10,967

Jul

6,861

11,834

Aug

8,219

13,049

Sep

7,057

12,523

5.1

Oct

7,534

19,180

Nov

7,795

17,429

Dec

8,228

13,885

Jan

11,539

14,616

0.0

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

10,223

12,464

Continued Unemployment Claims

256.5

2000-2001 2001-2002

205.2

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

153.9

Month

2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

102.6

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

51.3

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

0.0

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

51,650 53,297 65,495 56,248 61,750 59,873 59,470 73,196 59,977 61,431 78,839 80,310

76,932 110,332 104,108 109,620 124,874 123,371 131,061 190,425 164,254 189,033 166,026 181,110

Total Unemployment Rate
5.4 2000-2001 2001-2002

4.6

Monthly Data

Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month

2000-2001 2001-2002

3.9

Mar

3.0%

3.0 %

Apr

2.8

2.8

May

2.9

3.0

3.1

Jun

3.5

3.7

Jul

3.3

3.6

Aug

3.1

3.6

Sep

3.1

3.8

2.4

Oct

3.0

4.1

Nov

2.6

4.1

Dec

2.6

4.2

Jan

2.9

4.4

1.7

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

3.1

4.5

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 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

M

A

M

J

MMARTA Passengers

Month

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

2000-2001
0.63 % 0.63 0.63 0.65 0.66 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.69 0.78 0.82 0.88

2001-2002
0.93 % 1.02 1.13 1.23 1.35 1.44 1.68 1.75 2.01 1.99 2.00 2.02

7.8 2000-2001 2001-2002

7.2

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

6.6

Mar

Apr

May

6.0

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

5.4

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

4.8

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

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 5,621,000

Cobb Community Transit Passengers

235.9

2000-2001 2001-2002

205.7

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

175.6

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

Apr

May

145.4

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

115.2

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

85.0

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

138,882 172,616 195,133 125,437 126,747 136,845 132,248 138,910 137,090 123,707 141,285 130,075

174,076 147,888 168,529 177,233 176,523 189,661 173,058 187,596 193,266 172,187 186,592 170,281

12 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 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

Mar

5,708

5,089

Apr

5,905

5,201

May

5,753

5,799

4.9

Jun

5,465

6,447

Jul

5,312

5,390

Aug

5,211

5,358

Sep

5,066

4,915

4.1

Oct

4,282

4,939

Nov

5,083

4,686

Dec

5,011

4,826

Jan

5,949

5,226

3.2

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

6,144

5,070

Nonresidential Construction

$426

2000-2001 2001-2002

$342

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$258

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

$351,021,000 $315,487,000

Apr

535,747,000

430,876,000

$174

May Jun

392,505,000 561,138,000

312,898,000 299,961,000

Jul

254,659,000

351,753,000

Aug

262,446,000

306,256,000

Sep

387,210,000

326,715,000

$90

Oct

351,400,000

347,295,000

Nov

263,093,000

450,041,000

Dec

343,026,000

186,475,000

Jan

354,911,000

332,767,000

$6

Feb

324,993,000

347,867,000

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

Deflated Nonresidential Construction

$426

2000-2001 2001-2002

$342

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

$258

Month 2000-2001 2001-2002

Mar

$205,036,000 $179,051,000

Apr

312,754,000

243,570,000

May

228,866,000

176,082,000

$174

Jun

324,733,000

168,517,000

Jul

147,372,000

198,171,000

Aug

152,054,000

172,539,000

Sep

222,919,000

183,239,000

$90

Oct

201,954,000

195,439,000

Nov

151,116,000

253,687,000

Dec

197,141,000

105,532,000

Jan

202,690,000

187,898,000

$6

Feb

184,865,000

195,651,000

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002 13

Hotel Occupancy

76.4

2000-2001

2001-2002

69.9

Monthly Data
Seasonally Adjusted

Month

2000-2001 2001-2002

63.3

Mar

64.68 %

66.92 %

Apr

64.21

63.47

May

64.79

64.03

56.7

Jun

67.60

65.04

Jul

68.51

61.16

Aug

66.95

63.66

Sep

67.40

51.34

50.2

Oct

65.82

58.12

Nov

64.76

55.98

Dec

60.70

55.29

Jan

65.05

59.85

43.6

Feb

64.85

59.54

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

Average Hotel Room Rates
$88 2000-2001 2001-2002

$83

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month

2000-2001 2001-2002

$79

Mar

Apr

May

$75

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

$71

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

$67

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

$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 75.67

Deflated Average Hotel Room Rates
$52 2000-2001 2001-2002

$49

Monthly Data

Seasonally Adjusted

Month

2000-2001 2001-2002

$46

Mar

Apr

May

$43

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

$40

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

$37

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

$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 42.56

14 Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 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

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

Average 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate*
9.10 2000-2001 2001-2002

Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

O

N

D

J

F

* Does not include points

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

2001-2002
7.02 % 7.11 7.22 7.22 7.18 7.01 6.82 6.62 6.72 7.17 7.03 6.85

8.33

7.57

6.80

6.04

5.27

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

* Does not include points

Average One-Year Adjustable Mortgage Rate*

8.46

2000-2001

2001-2002

Monthly Data
Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month

2000-2001

2001-2002

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

Feb

6.73

6.37

7.53

Monthly Data

Not Seasonally Adjusted

Month

6.60

Mar

Apr

May

5.67

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

4.74

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

3.81

Feb

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

* Does not include points

2000-2001
6.90 % 6.82 7.09 7.22 7.26 7.35 7.34 7.14 7.06 6.92 6.50 6.22

2001-2002
6.00 % 5.83 5.79 5.71 5.67 5.57 5.38 5.05 5.05 5.26 4.99 4.84

Georgia Department of Labor

Metro Atlanta Economic Indicators / April 2002 15

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