LABOR FORCE TRENDS Seasonal trends raise unemployment rate Unemployment rates - Georgia and U.S. Georgia's unemployment rate increased in June due to seasonal factors. The jobless rate rose from 4.1 percent in May to 4.9 percent in June. For the past 20 years, the over- the-month increase from May to June has averaged about one whole percentage point. 6.0% Georgia's unemployment situation contin- -- -0 ues to compare favorably with that of the p_ 0 nation. The U.S. rate, not seasonally adjusted, increased from 4.7 percent in May to 5.2 percent in June. The civilian labor force, comprised of the 5.0% employed and the unemployed, grew to its highest level ever in June due to increases in both total employment and total unem- 4.0% ployment. The total number of unemployed persons increased by more than 31,000 over the month as experienced and inexperienced job seekers entered the labor force looking * Georgia -0 - U.S. 3.0o/o-+-~----,-~---.~~.--~-.-~---.--~-.-~--r~~r-"--~,---~~~-,--~---1 for work. Students typically have entered the job market during June looking for temporary work for the summer as well as recent graduates seeking their first permanent job. Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 96 I 97 Claims for unemployment insurance ben- efits declined slightly from the reference week in May so the increase in unemployment was attributed to new and re-entrants. Still, unemployment levels were lower than they were one year ago. Total civilian employment also grew to its highest historical level ever. Nonagricultural employment is the largest component of total civilian employment that also includes self-employed, unpaid family, private household and agricultural workers. Total civilian employment reached a new record high in March of this year, and since then, has increased to a record level each month. Southeastern unemployment rates Area data llJune 1997 May 1997 6% 5% Most Georgia counties (149) reflected the statewide trend with increased unemployment rates in June, and similar to the state, more than half of those (78) saw their rates rise by less than one percentage point. Lower rates were recorded in ten counties. Macon County had the highest rate in the state and was among 22 other counties with doubledigit rates. Oconee County had the lowest unemployment rate. 4% 3% 2% AL FL GA KY MS NC SC TN 10 The unemployment rate increased in each state in the southeastern region from May to June. The largest increases over the month were inAlabama and Tennessee. Mississippi, however, had the highest rates during both May and June, and North Carolina had the lowest rates. Despite an increase of eight-tenths of a percentage point, Georgia had the second lowest rate in the region. GEORGIA LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16 YEARS OLD AND OVER AREA Georgla (Not seasonally adjusted) Albany MSA Athens MSA Atlanta MSA Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC MSA Columbus, GA-AL MSA Macon MSA Savannah MSA EMPLOYMENT STATUS Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate PRELIMINARY JUN 1997 3,897,866 3,707,307 190,559 4.9 58,253 54,133 4,120 7.1 73,614 71,481 2,133 2.9 2,062,658 1,980,168 82,490 4.0 210, 149 195,611 14,538 6.9 120,521 114,501 6,020 5.0 152,027 144,175 7,852 5.2 134,709 127,313 7,396 5.5 REVISED MAY 1997 3,839,503 3,680,538 158,965 4.1 56,646 53,281 3,365 5.9 73,271 71,424 1,847 2.5 2,030,600 1,961,565 69,035 3.4 205,582 194,209 11,373 5.5 118,815 113,507 5,308 4.5 150,212 143,715 6,497 4.3 133,960 128,121 5,839 4.4 REVISED JUN 1996 3,785,505 3,592,856 192,649 5.1 55,871 52,162 3,709 6.6 72,510 70,157 2,353 3.2 1,983,365 1,901,768 81,597 4.1 203,840 188,434 15,406 7.6 117,373 110,653 6,720 5.7 148,111 140,345 7,766 5.2 129,648 122,708 6,940 5.4 CHANGE FROM REVISED MAY 1997 REVISED JUN 1996 58,363 26,769 31,594 112,361 114,451 -2,090 1,607 852 755 2,382 1,971 411 343 1,104 57 1,324 286 -220 32,058 18,603 13,455 79,293 78,400 893 4,567 1,402 3,165 6,309 7,177 -868 1,706 994 712 3,148 3,848 -700 1,815 460 1,355 3,916 3,830 86 749 -808 1,557 5,061 4,605 456 UNITED STATES LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16 YEARS OLD0 AND OVER United States (Seasonally adjusted) United States (Not seasonally adjusted) EMPLOYMENT STATUS Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate JUN 1997 136,200,000 129,364,000 6,836,000 5.0 137,557,000 130,463,000 7,094,000 5.2 MAY 1997 136, 173,000 129,639,000 6,534,000 4.8 135,963,000 129,565,000 6,398,000 4.7 JUN 1996 133,709,000 126,590,000 7,119,000 5.3 135,083,000 127,706,000 7,377,000 5.5 CHANGE FROM MAY 1997 JUN 1996 27,000 -275,000 302,000 2,491,000 2,774,000 -283,000 1,594,000 898,000 696,000 2,474,000 2,757,000 -283,000 NOTE: Employment includes nonagricultural wage and salary employment, self-employed, unpaid family and private household workers and agricultural workers. Persons in labor disputes are counted as employed. The use of unrounded data does not imply that the numbers are exact. Georgia and Metropolitan Statistical Area data have not been seasonally adjusted. Seasonally adjusted data for Georgia available upon request. Albany MSA: Athens MSA: Atlanta MSA: Augusta-Aiken MSA: Columbus MSA: Macon MSA: Savannah MSA: includes Dougherty and Lee counties. includes Clarke, Madison and Oconee counties. includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton Counties. includes Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. includes Chattahoochee, Harris and Muscogee counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama. includes Bibb, Houston, Jones, Peach and Twiggs counties. includes Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties. SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Information Systems 11 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES (NOTSEASONALLYADJUSTED) PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16 YEARS OLD AND OVER Georgia PRELIMINARY JUNE 1997 I I LABOR FORCE EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE REVISED MAY 1997 I I LABOR UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE REVISED JUNE 1996 LABOR FORCE UNEMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 3,897,866 3,707,307 190,559 4.9 3,839,503 3,680,538 158,965 4.1 3,785,505 3,592,856 192,649 5.1 Appling Atkinson Bacon Baker Baldwin Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham Chattahoochee Chattooga Cherokee Clarke Clay Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt Columbia Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp Dade Dawson Decatur DeKalb Dodge Dooly Dougherty Douglas Early Echols 12 8,453 3,241 4,882 1,475 17,429 5,902 19,114 36,177 8,921 6,740 75,086 5,296 5,668 7,210 9,915 24,504 8,843 8,431 2,301 15,902 3,882 42,857 24,298 4,010 108,999 2,208 12,458 68,852 48,197 1,569 120,416 4,085 334,678 17,459 18,249 41,081 7,541 38,976 5,845 10,359 6,832 9,058 11,842 365,443 9,167 4,737 47,687 48,855 5,010 1,091 7,694 2,857 4,413 1,309 16,797 759 9.0 384 11.8 469 9.6 166 11.3 632 3.6 5,539 18,177 34,033 8,213 6,462 363 6.2 937 4.9 2,144 5.9 708 7.9 278 4.1 71,096 5,063 5,196 6,820 9,471 3,990 5.3 233 4.4 472 8.3 390 5.4 444 4.5 23,654 7,718 7,980 2,092 15,068 850 3.5 1, 125 12.7 451 5.3 209 9.1 834 5.2 3,676 40,711 23,149 3,840 102,775 206 5.3 2,146 5.0 1,149 4.7 170 4.2 6,224 5.7 2,032 11,880 66,928 46,687 1,433 176 8.0 578 4.6 1,924 2.8 1,510 3.1 136 8.7 115,273 5,143 4.3 3,907 178 4.4 323,952 10,726 3.2 16,264 1,195 6.8 17,239 1,010 5.5 39,113 7,148 37,387 5,518 9,390 1,968 4.8 393 5.2 1,589 4.1 327 5.6 969 9.4 6,404 428 6.3 8,774 284 3.1 11,207 635 5.4 348,550 16,893 4.6 8,520 647 7.1 4,349 44,048 47,24~ 4,547 1,050 388 8.2 3,639 7.6 1,614 3.3 463 9.2 41 3.8 8,357 3,067 4,768 1,430 17,285 5,842 18,660 35,757 8,740 6,684 74,333 5,243 5,506 7,083 9,919 24,192 8,547 8,358 2,261 15,656 3,807 42,166 23,947 3,967 108,357 2,150 12,300 67,953 47,950 1,544 118,620 4,011 330,099 17,130 17,940 40,583 7,438 38,278 5,721 9,948 6,624 8,966 11,659 359,213 8,968 4,613 46,252 48,147 4,858 1,079 7,649 2,841 4,388 1,304 16,695 708 8.5 226 7.4 380 8.0 126 8.8 590 3.4 5,509 18,006 33,713 8,170 6,422 333 5.7 654 3.5 2,044 5.7 570 6.5 262 3.9 70,869 5,031 5,162 6,780 9,531 3,464 4.7 212 4.0 344 6.2 303 4.3 388 3.9 23,518 7,674 7,933 2,080 14,980 674 2.8 873 10.2 425 5.1 181 8.0 676 4.3 3,655 40,329 23,013 3,817 103,427 152 4.0 1,837 4.4 934 3.9 150 3.8 4,930 4.5 2,015 11,809 66,299 46,649 1,426 135 6.3 491 4.0 1,654 2.4 1,301 2.7 118 7.6 114,190 3,885 320,908 16,175 17,145 4,430 3.7 126 3.1 9,191 2.8 955 5.6 795 4.4 38,971 7,108 37,036 5,485 9,341 1,612 4.0 330 4.4 1,242 3.2 236 4.1 607 6.1 6,367 8,738 11, 142 345,275 8,475 257 3.9 228 2.5 517 4.4 13,938 3.9 493 5.5 4,326 43,354 46,797 4,522 1,043 287 6.2 2,898 6.3 1,350 2.8 336 6.9 36 3.3 8,538 3,080 4,695 1,522 17,041 5,861 18,082 34,586 8,617 6,934 73,409 5,255 5,611 6,996 9,556 24,051 9,106 8,616 2,367 15,379 3,849 41,532 24,020 4,167 104,903 2,139 12,246 66,246 47,393 1,620 115,955 4,121 321,624 17,381 18,493 39,896 7,434 37,535 5,777 10,219 6,704 9,084 11,871 350,682 9,272 4,873 45,672 47,157 5,068 1,058 7,602 2,876 4,371 1,370 16,367 93611.0 204 6.6 324 6.9 15210.0 674 4.0 5,502 17,457 32,686 8,157 6,476 359 6.1 625 3.5 1,900 5.5 460 5.3 458 6.6 69,207 4,987 5,092 6,708 9,128 4,202 5.7 268 5.1 519 9.2 288 4.1 428 4.5 23,229 7,633 7,802 2,140 14,731 822 3.4 1,47316.2 814 9.4 227 9.6 648 4.2 3,689 39,099 22,819 3,754 99,058 160 4.2 2,433 5.9 1,201 5.0 413 9.9 5,845 5.6 1,957 11,596 64,278 45,822 1,454 182 8.5 650 5.3 1,968 3.0 1,571 3.3 16610.2 110,709 3,864 311,126 16,194 17,227 5,246 4.5 257 6.2 10,498 3.3 1,187 6.8 1,266 6.8 37,903 7,102 35,907 5,433 9,365 1,993 5.0 332 4.5 1,628 4.3 344 6.0 854 8.4 6,313 8,609 11, 124 334,750 8,394 391 5.8 475 5.2 747 6.3 15,932 4.5 87& 9.5 4,337 42,444 45,371 4,587 1,032 536 11.0 3,228 7.1 1,786 3.8 481 9.5 26 2.5 . . . . COl)NTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES {NOTSEASONALLYADJUSTED) PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS ~ 16 YEARS OLD -AN- D OVER . " Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin Fayette Floyd ForsY1h Franklin Fulton Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady Greene Gwinnett Habersham Hall Hancock Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln Long Lowndes Lumpkin McDuffie Mcintosh Macon Madison Marion Meriwether Miller Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray PRELIMINARY JUNE 1997 I I LABOR FORCE EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE REVISED MAY 1997 I I LABOR UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE REVISED JUNE 1996 LABOR FORCE UNEMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 15,795 8,700 9,281 4,716 8,452 15,067 8,110 8,304 4,507 7,895 728 4.6 590 6.8 977 10.5 209 4.4 557 6.6 15,683 8,706 8,998 4,663 8,293 15,163 8,066 8,229 4,482 7,821 520 3.3 640 7.4 769 8.5 181 3.9 472 5.7 15, 189 8,940 9,073 4,718 8,135 14,522 8,007 8,146 4,473 7,686 667 4.4 93310.4 92710.2 245 5.2 449 5.5 45,072 45,860 36,778 9,888 396,582 43,893 1,179 2.6 43,404 2,456 5.4 35,882 896 2.4 9,380 508 5.1 377,114 19,468 4.9 44,482 45,205 36,290 9,769 390,038 43,480 1,002 2.3 43,141 2,064 4.6 35,545 745 2.1 9,331 438 4.5 373,571 16,467 4.2 43,250 45,024 35,357 9,916 382,395 42,155 42,294 34,461 9,263 362,183 1,095 2.5 2,730 6.1 896 2.5 653 6.6 20,212 5.3 8,069 1,072 34,317 21,405 10,106 7,603 918 33,022 20,207 9,320 466 5.8 154 14.4 1,295 3.8 1,198 5.6 786 7.8 8,059 1,058 33,932 21,484 9,832 7,566 914 32,841 20,089 9,237 493 6.1 144 13.6 1,091 3.2 1,395 6.5 595 6.1 7,938 1,003 33,415 21,236 9,807 7,501 907 32,228 19,822 9,317 437 5.5 96 9.6 1,187 3.6 1,414 6.7 490 5.0 5,151 296,060 15, 122 66, 116 3,890 4,812 287,291 14,293 63,983 3,445 339 6.6 8,769 3.0 829 5.5 2,133 3.2 445 11.4 5,069 291,812 15,017 65,385 3,791 4,786 284,592 14,214 63,628 3,424 283 5.6 7,220 2.5 803 5.3 1,757 2.7 367 9.7 5,244 284,949 15, 112 64,918 4,053 4,754 275,917 14,118 62,530 3,385 490 9.3 9,032 3.2 994 6.6 2,388 3.7 66816.5 9,405 10,403 8,319 3,531 48,927 8,803 10,059 7,911 3,277 47,370 602 6.4 344 3.3 408 4.9 254 7.2 1,557 3.2 9,308 10,248 8,224 3,521 48,198 8,728 9,976 7,867 3,259 46,925 580 6.2 272 2.7 357 4.3 262 7.4 1,273 2.6 9,412 10,076 8,586 3,476 47,416 8,572 9,689 7,807 3,216 45,494 840 8.9 387 3.8 779 9.1 260 7.5 1,922 4.1 50,174 4,474 20,580 4,662 5,734 47,695 4,223 19,691 4,399 5,314 2,479 4.9 251 5.6 889 4.3 263 5.6 420 7.3 49,483 4,412 20,317 4,573 5,618 47,543 4,200 19,580 4,361 5,285 1,940 3.9 212 4.8 737 3.6 212 4.6 333 5.9 48,403 4,399 20,281 4,658 5,853 46,428 4,194 19,406 4,305 5,258 1,975 4.1 205 4.7 875 4.3 353 7.6 59510.2 8,309 4,278 3,821 11,790 7,509 7,163 4,039 3,506 11,299 7, 161 1,146 239 315 491 348 13.8 5.6 8.2 4.2 4.6 8,131 4,189 3,705 11,660 7,493 7, 119 4,019 3,487 11,263 7,121 1,012 12.4 170 4.1 218 5.9 397 3.4 372 5.0 8,287 4,255 3,839 11,547 7,362 7,071 4,028 3,454 10,999 7,009 1,21614.7 227 5.3 38510.0 548 4.7 353 4.8 3,023 21,888 10,566 16,646 3,526 2,930 20,838 10,085 15,488 3,302 93 3.1 1,050 4.8 481 4.6 1,158 7.0 224 6.4 3,003 21,544 10,394 16,471 3,473 2,913 20,720 9,927 15,394 3,284 90 3.0 824 3.8 467 4.5 1,077 6.5 189 5.4 3,091 21,615 10, 199 16,362 3,475 2,882 20,451 9,718 15, 108 3,245 209 6.8 1,164 5.4 481 4.7 1,254 7.7 230 6.6 3,326 39,687 8,709 10,210 3,904 3,144 37,924 8,397 9,019 3,656 182 5.5 1,763 4.4 312 3.6 1, 191 11.7 248 6.4 3,265 39,114 8,621 9,883 3,852 3,125 37,704 8,356 8,986 3,634 140 4.3 1,410 3.6 265 3.1 897 9.1 218 5.7 3,197 38,993 8,567 9,846 3,864 3,066 37,306 8,252 8,740 3,602 131 4.1 1,687 4.3 315 3.7 1,10611.2 262 6.8 5,846 13,172 3, 111 9,026 2,875 4,993 12,807 2,887 8,506 2,703 853 14.6 365 2.8 224 7.2 520 5.8 172 6.0 5,684 13, 151 3,032 8,832 2,852 4,965 12,797 2,872 8,457 2,689 719 12.6 354 2.7 160 5.3 375 4.2 163 5.7 5,685 13, 102 3,038 8,916 2,940 5,026 12,570 2,866 8,318 2,739 65911.6 532 4.1 172 5.7 598 6.7 201 6.8 11,758 7,776 3,817 6,896 18,020 10,566 7,307 3,493 6,548 17,001 1,192 10.1 469 6.0 324 8.5 348 5.0 1,019 5.7 11,491 7,670 3,813 6,756 18,122 10,505 7,266 3,473 6,512 16,902 986 8.6 404 5.3 340 8.9 244 3.6 1,220 6.7 11,434 7,797 3,807 6,782 17,395 10,574 7,138 3,448 6,522 16,558 860 7.5 659 8.5 359 9.4 260 3.8 837 4.8 13 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) PLACE OF RESIDENCE-PERSONS 16 YEARS OLD AND OVER PRELIMINARY JUNE 1997 I I LABOR FORCE EMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE REVISED MAY 1997 I I LABOR UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE REVISED JUNE 1996 LABOR FORCE UNEMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding 82,705 26,883 12,245 4,946 33,738 78,397 25,322 11,987 4,707 32,561 4,308 5.2 1,561 5.8 258 2.1 239 4.8 1,177 3.5 81,764 26,416 12, 171 4,869 33,183 Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk 10,675 9,339 6,835 6,061 15,217 10,038 8,934 6,402 5,801 13,916 637 6.0 405 4.3 433 6.3 260 4.3 1,301 8.5 10,497 9,176 6,729 6,009 15,063 Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph 4,375 8,888 1,199 6,822 3,343 4,076 8,486 1, 111 6,580 3,031 299 6.8 402 4.5 88 7.3 242 3.5 312 9.3 4,261 8,795 1,174 6,777 3,286 Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole 83,818 38,382 1,690 6,806 4,380 77,385 36,956 1,563 5,977 4,144 6,433 7.7 1,426 3.7 127 7.5 829 12.2 236 5.4 82,327 37,790 1,663 6,633 4,327 Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot 30,067 13,175 2,499 16,331 2,512 28,711 12,425 2,308 14,595 2,346 1,356 4.5 750 5.7 191 7.6 1,736 10.6 166 6.6 29,833 13,023 2,440 15,820 2,462 Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell 656 7,338 3,377 4,841 3,886 583 6,978 3, 111 4,398 3,429 73 11.1 360 4.9 266 7.9 443 9.2 457 11.8 625 7,248 3,323 4,632 3,775 Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen 21,255 20,078 12,793 3,841 2,999 20,187 18,986 11,477 3,393 2,655 1,068 5.0 1,092 5.4 1,316 10.3 448 11.7 344 11.5 20,827 19,837 12,613 3,764 2,881 Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson 28,675 4,545 4,301 6,906 13,129 27,141 3,889 4,046 6,507 12,509 1,534 5.3 656 14.4 255 5.9 399 5.8 620 4.7 28,300 4,208 4,237 6,833 12,910 Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington 30,007 25,465 15,463 2,982 10,246 28,078 23,883 14,580 2,601 9,030 1,929 6.4 1,582 6.2 883 5.7 381 12.8 1,216 11.9 29,547 24,490 15,244 2,873 9,454 Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield 11,054 1,107 2,000 9,559 45,793 10, 189 1,016 1,790 9,117 43,921 865 7.8 91 8.2 210 10.5 442 4.6 1,872 4.1 10,800 1,076 1,992 9,453 45,550 Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth 3,505 5,645 4,690 9,445 3,108 5,203 4,430 8,719 397 11.3 442 7.8 260 5.5 726 7.7 3,459 5,487 4,653 9,272 SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Information Systems 14 77,747 25,084 11,978 4,683 32,255 4,017 4.9 1,332 5.0 193 1.6 186 3.8 928 2.8 10,006 8,850 6,367 5,770 13,838 491 4.7 326 3.6 362 5.4 239 4.0 1,225 8.1 4,056 8,438 1, 101 6,549 3,018 205 4.8 357 4.1 73 6.2 228 3.4 268 8.2 77,105 36,609 1,555 5,946 4,122 5,222 6.3 1, 181 3.1 108 6.5 687 10.4 205 4.7 28,441 12,352 2,296 14,514 2,331 1,392 4.7 671 5.2 144 5.9 1,306 8.3 131 5.3 580 6,938 3,095 4,374 3,410 45 7.2 310 4.3 228 6.9 258 5.6 365 9.7 20,077 18,880 11,411 3,378 2,639 750 3.6 957 4.8 1,202 9.5 386 10.3 242 8.4 26,983 3,872 4,033 6,479 12,438 1,317 4.7 336 8.0 204 4.8 354 5.2 472 3.7 27,913 23,659 14,496 2,584 8,977 1,634 5.5 831 3.4 748 4.9 289 10.1 477 5.0 10,134 1,Q10 1,780 9,073 43,654 666 6.2 66 6.1 212 10.6 380 4.0 1,896 4.2 3,091 5,177 4,401 8,671 368 10.6 310 5.6 252 5.4 601 6.5 80,419 25,668 12,015 4,917 32,186 10,533 8,956 6,872 6,010 15,075 4,286 8,677 1,199 6,673 3,386 81,928 36,835 1,636 6,759 4,446 29,102 13,252 2,431 15,258 2,522 662 7,488 3,406 4,872 3,995 20,957 20,115 12,727 3,651 2,904 27,936 4,247 4,219 7,008 13,072 29,300 23,850 15,235 2,909 9,502 10,906 1,087 2,058 9,468 44,979 3,316 5,520 4,595 9,556 75,511 24,319 11,765 4,652 31,272 9,772 8,580 6,391 5,680 13,570 4,047 8,339 1,088 6,457 3,024 74,992 35,493 1,540 5,940 4,189 27,574 12,144 2,285 14,395 2,306 586 7,062 3,103 4,376 3,450 19,919 18,849 11,329 3,342 2,620 26,490 3,926 3,939 6,480 12,226 27,678 22,938 14,287 2,559 8,878 9,999 1,023 1,781 8,984 42,844 3,099 5,129 4,324 8,742 4,908 6.1 1,349 5.3 250 2.1 265 5.4 914 2.8 761 7.2 376 4.2 481 7.0 330 5.5 1,50510.0 239 5.6 338 3.9 111 9.3 216 3.2 36210.7 6,936 8.5 1,342 3.6 96 5.9 81912.1 257 5.8 1,528 5.3 1,108 8.4 146 6.0 863 5.7 216 8.6 76 11.5 426 5.7 303 8.9 49610.2 54513.6 1,038 5.0 1,266 6.3 1,39811.0 309 8.5 284 9.8 1,446 5.2 321 7.6 280 6.6 528 7.5 846 6.5 1,622 5.5 912 3.8 948 6.2 35012.0 624 6.6 907 8.3 64 5.9 27713.5 484 5.1 2, 13fi 4.7 217 6.5 391 7.1 271 5.9 814 8.5 Weekly unemployment insurance initial claims through June 28, 1997 30 25 20 Weekly unemployment insurance claims* through June 28, 1997 - 1 996 bSJ 1 997 BO~ ,_ so~ 15 40 10 20 5 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LLL.LLJ_.L-L~~~~ Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Week ending 06/28/97: 4,487 (Initial Claims) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Week ending 06/28/97: 33,099 *These figures reflect continued weeks claimed and not individuals. June finishes lowest quarter of new claims in two decades... 0 The second quarter of 1997 ended with new claims activity at its lowest level since 1974. Georgia's strong economy is producing fewer unemployed workers and those who do become unemployed are finding new jobs after an average of only 9.3 weeks. New claims increased slightly from May, as is the normal seasonal pattern, to 23,677. Still, this is 7.4 percent less than June 1996 when new claims were 25,565. The number of weeks paid followed suit. June's level of 121,203 was 3.1 percent higher than May, again this level was 0.8 percent less than June of last year. 0 First payments for June, at 12,241, were 10.3 percent higher than May and 5.8 percent higher than June 1996. The number of claimants exhausting their benefits increased 318 over the month to 3,717. Continued weeks claimed were up 17.8 percent from May to 158,063. The total amount of benefits paid during June increased 1.6 percent over the month to $19,034,191. This level of benefit payments reflects the low level of claims during June when compared to last year's $19,597,507. Between June of 1996 and June 1997 the maximum weekly benefit amount was increased $10.00. 0 The total number of beneficiaries increased 6.5 percent from May and 1.0 percent from last June. The average weekly benefit amount fell 1.4 percent from May and 2.1 percent from last June. This unusual occurrence is due in part to the increase of low wage claims mainly from the retail trade and services industry segments. 0 The calculation for rate year 1998's tax cut has been made. It will result in a substantial tax cut for all experience-rated employers who do not carry the maximum rate. The current trust fund has allowed a tax cut often percent below the unadjusted (base) tax rates. This is the largest tax cut in the history of Georgia's unemployment insurance program. Rates will be 40 percent lower than rate year 1996 and 28 percent lower than the current tax rates. Key data June 1997 _ __..J=un=e..:.1.:;..99;:.;.6 Initial claims filed 23,677 25,565 Persons receiving benefits 43,479 43,065 Average weekly benefit amount $157.04 $160.48 Benefits paid $19,034,191 $19,597,507 Employer taxes received $1,083,057* $1,394,934* Trust fund balance $1,717,200,360 $1,557,198,139 Minus refunds to employers Number of Weeks Paid Thousands J F M AM J J A S 0 N D J F MAM J 96 I 97 I Regular UI only, January 1996 through present 15 STATE OF GEORGIA - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LABOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS ,,. 148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1751 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE - $300 JUNE 1997 DATA VOLUME XXlll, NUMBER 6 Georgia's employment reaches all-time high Georgia employers added 16,600 jobs to their payrolls in June, pushing the state's total employment to an all-time high of 3,604,400. The previous high of 3,602,100 had been reached at the peak of the holiday hiring season in December 1996. All six of the major private industry divisions added jobs over the month, providing some balance to the growth. The over-the-year employment change now stands at only 44,200, as 1997 is still being compared to the 1996 pre-Olympic buildup. The construction division gained 2, 100 jobs, most of them in the special trades. However general building contractors had a higher percentage rate of growth, perhaps indicating stronger division-wide gains in the future. Construction's twelvemonth employment change is still slightly negative; however, by June of last year the furious pace of the state's pre-Olympic construction activity had begun to slow, so the change is not as negative as it has been. Renewed weakness in nondurable goods manufacturing held the manufacturing division to a gain of only 600 jobs in June. The losses were concentrated once again in the battered apparel, textile, and paper products sectors; the other major nondurable goods sectors all experienced employment increases. Lumber and wood products gained the most jobs in durable goods manufacturing, but five of the other eight major durable goods sectors had monthly increases. Both average weekly hours and Continued on page 2 HIGHLIGHTS ,/ All major private industry divisions add jobs for the month ,/ Services and trade accountfor 70% of the monthly gain ,/ Georgia's civilian labor force grows to a record level ,/ Total civilian employment exceeds 3.7 million - another record New developments------------------ > Brown Steel Contractors is planning to expand in Newnan. The company, which builds elevated water tanks, plans to build a new facility and expand its product line. Current employment stands at 200 and the expansion is expected to add 75 to 100 new jobs. > Toys "R" Us is building a new facility in Henry County. The one-million-square-foot building will be a warehouse and distribution facility plus a regional office. Upon completion, the new facility will employ up to 300 people. > Fayette Community Hospital is under construction in Fayette County. The county's first hospital is scheduled to open in September. The hospital will employ 250 people and most of the jobs currently available are for support personnel and nurses. > Armor Chassis plans to build a plant in Jasper County. The company makes shipping container trailers for sale to leasing companies, steamship companies, railroads and other transportation companies. The new manufacturer will employ about 150 people. David Poythress, Commissioner . - ,.- " - - _GEORGIA LABOR MARKET TRENDS _ - - < '~ > ' ' A~ - Georgia's employment reaches all-time high Continuedfrom page 1 . - ,,, _ - ~ ,- - average hourly earnings fell slightly for the month, bringing the average weekly earnings down by $3.27 to $484.03. For the year, the division has gained 4,000 jobs, as the losses in nondurable goods are no longer quite as severe as they had been and durable goods manufacturing remains strong. Rubber and plastic products have added more than 2,000 jobs over the last twelve months, and food and other kindred products have contributed another 1,000 new jobs. The durable goods industries leading in over-the-year growth are transportation equipment and industrial machinery. Average weekly earnings have risen by $7.67 over the last year, an increase of only 1.6 percent. Average weekly hours have fallen by over half an hour since last June, counteracting the effect of a 3.1 percent increase in wages. The transportation, communications and public utilities division experienced another strong employment increase, with the bulk of the new jobs split between trucking and warehousing and transportation by air. Air travel normally goes up in the summer due to school and other vacations, but air travel throughout the state is increasing anyway. For the year, the division has added 4,400jobs to the state's payrolls, over eightysix percent of them in transportation. Growth in the communications sector has been restrained by losses in non-telephone communications, while employment in public utilities has been more or less stable over the last year. The trade division added only 3, 100 jobs for the month, a moderate increase for June compared to the last few years; the last time the June gain was this small was 1992. Employment in eating and drinking establishments actually fell slightly; the loss in this economically sensitive industry may indicate some weakness in retail trade. Food stores added jobs for the month, as did gasoline service stations; both of these increases seem connected to the normal summer activities of travel and eating outside. The annual employment gain in trade is now 8,600, an increase of only 1.0 percent over the last year; this number may also be suffering in comparison to the build-up for the Olympics. Employment in building material and garden supply stores is up strongly for the year, but miscellaneous retail, food stores, and eating and drinking establishments have all lost jobs over that time. Employment in the finance, insurance and real estate division increased strongly for the fourth month in a row. June's gains were concentrated in the financial sector, especially securities brokers, but real estate also added another significant amount of jobs. For the year, the division has gained 6,900 jobs, almost half of them in finance, as both banks and stock brokers have done well in the current investing environment. The services division gained 8,500jobs in an almost entirely seasonal increase. The services sector adding the most jobs was amusement and recreation services, as theme parks and country clubs staffed up for the summer. Membership organizations also experienced a sharp increase, primarily due to church-related and other summer camps. Personnel supply services added a significant number ofjobs, as did agricultural services, movie theaters, and computerrelated services; all but the last of these increases are mainly seasonal in nature. The only services industries with significant employment losses for the month were private educational services and social ser- vices, including day care centers; these declines were also seasonal. For the year, the services division has added 24,000 jobs, slightly over half of the state's total employment increase. The services sectors leading in over-the-year growth are computer programming and other computer-related services and the consulting professional services of engineering, architecture, research and management. Personnel supply services have lost employment over the year, a surprising development perhaps related to the large build-up in this industry just before the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Employment in the government division fell slightly, with the decrease concentrated at the state and local levels. Due to differences in timing between the survey week and school sessions from year to year, both monthly and yearly changes in government employment should be interpreted with some caution during the summer. At the state and local level, two strong trends ran counter to each other, as some secondary schools and colleges and universities let their nine-month personnel go for the summer, while some local governments started their summer youth programs. Government employment is about unchanged from last year at this time, as the effects of privatization efforts made earlier last year may finally be fading. Both state and local education have significant job gains over the year, but employment in the federal government is down sharply both in and outside of defense. Produced by the Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Information Systems in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2 INDUSTRY TRENDS Total nonagricultural employment Georgia Thousands 3,700 3,600 3,500 3,400 3,300 3,200 MJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJ 199s I 199s I 1 997 Employment by industry Thousands 30.0 Over-the-year change June 1997 24.0 20.0 ... 0.0 0.0 -0.2 -3.5 -"10.0 LC:::============================================================"==" Transportation, Wholesale Finance, Construction Manufacturing communications & retail insurance & Services Government & public utilities trade real estate 3 GEEOR.G IA-NONAGR_ICULTURAL EMP!-OYMENT {OOO'S) 1"~ CURRENT MONTH (PRELIMINARY) JUN1997 Q PREVIOUS MONTH (REVISED) MAY 1997 CURRENT MONTH YEAR AGO JUN 1996 - NET CHANGE IN JOBS - PREVIOUS MONTH CURRENT MONTH YEAR AGO Total r'lonagricultural employment ........................................ . Go