LABOR FORCE.TRENDS 
 
Unemployment edges up 
 
Unemployment rates - Georgia and U.S. 
 
Georgia's unemployment rate rose by 
 
three-tenths of a percentage point in Febru- 
 
ary to 4.1 percent. Despite the increase, this 
 
was the lowest unemployment rate for the month of February in 25 years. February's 
 
6.0% 
 
increase was expected as the statewide un- 
 
employment rate has increased from Janu- 
 
0 
 
ary to February for 20 of the last 21 years. Prior to the increase in February, Georgia's 
 
5.0o/o 
 
jobless rate had remained unchanged at 3.8 
 
percent for the last two months. One year 
 
ago, the jobless rate was 4.8 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate, not season- 
 
4.0o/o 
 
ally adjusted, declined from 5.2 percent in 
 
January to 5.0 percent in February. With the exception of October 1997, Georgia's unemployment rate has remained at or below the national rate since October 1990. 
Total civilian employment grew by more 
 
* Georgia -o-- U.S. 
3.0o/o-r~-.~--,~~..----'-.--~-.-~--,-~~~~.-L~~~~~~~-l 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb 
 
97 
 
I 98 
 
than 28,000 in February. Following a onemonth seasonal decline, nonagricultural employment resumed its growth in February. This, along with an increase in agricultural employment, fueled the growth in total civilian employment. 
 
The number of persons receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the reference week was virtually unchanged over the month; however, the total number of unemployed persons rose by more than 16,000 
 
in February due to increases in the number of new and re-entrants into the labor force. Georgia's low unemployment rate and strong job growth have motivated more people (who had not been actively in the labor market) to begin seeking employment. 
 
Southeastern unemployment rates 
 
Area data 
 
Ill February 1998 51 January i 998 
6% 5% " " ." " " " 4% 
 
The unemployment situation in six of Georgia's seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) followed the statewide trend with higher levels of unemployment. All metro areas except Augusta-Aiken had higher unemployment rates. Albany, at 6.6 percent, had the highest metro rate and Athens, at 2.9 percent, had the lowest rate. 
Across the state, 115 Georgia counties had higher jobless rates while 37 counties had lower rates and seven counties did not change. Hancock County, at 18.6 percent, had the highest jobless rate and Oconee County, at 1.9 percent, had the lowest rate at the county level. 
 
3% 
2% 
AL 
10 
 
FL GA KY MS NC SC TN 
 
Most southeastern states recorded lower unemployment rates in February. Georgia was the only state with a higher rate over the month, but despite the increase, Georgia still had the second lowest rate in the region. South Carolina had the lowest unemployment rate in February and Mississippi had the highest. 
 
 GEORGIA LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES 
 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
. 
 
AREA Georgia (Not seasonally adjusted) Albany MSA 
Athens MSA 
Atlanta MSA 
Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC MSA 
Columbus, GA-AL MSA 
Macon MSA 
Savannah MSA 
 
EMPLOYMENT STAlUS 
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 FEB1998 
3,924,742 3,762,609 
162,133 4.1 
57,199 53,416 
3,783 6.6 
74,113 71,946 2,167 
2.9 
2,075,543 2,009,257 
66,286 3.2 
201,931 190,930 
11,001 5.4 
121,762 116,651 
5, 111 4.2 
153,974 146,131 
7,843 5.1 
132,945 127,575 
5,370 4.0 
 
REVISED JAN1998 
3,879,736 3,733,947 
145,789 3.8 
56,739 53,296 
3,443 6.1 
72,901 70,867 
2,034 2.8 
2,054,720 1,993,763 
60,957 3.0 
201,036 190,160 
10,876 5.4 
121,295 116,363 
4,932 4.1 
151,907 145,460 
6,447 4.2 
132,360 127,364 
4,996 3.8 
 
REVISED FEB1997 
3,849,114 3,663,088 
186,026 4.8 
56,666 53,142 
3,524 6.2 
72,118 69,847 2,271 
3.1 
2,023,401 1,944,717 
78,684 3.9 
203,149 189,570 
13,579 6.7 
120,777 115,100 
5,677 4.7 
149,908 143,090 
6,818 4.5 
132, 125 125,227 
6,898 5.2 
 
CHANGE FROM 
 
REVISED JAN1998 
 
REVISED FEB1997 
 
45,006 28,662 16,344 
 
75,628 99,521 -23,893 
 
460 
 
533 
 
120 
 
274 
 
340 
 
259 
 
1,212 1,079 
133 
 
1,995 2,099 -104 
 
20,823 15,494 5,329 
 
52,142 64,540 -12,398 
 
895 
 
-1,218 
 
770 
 
1,360 
 
125 
 
-2,578 
 
467 
 
985 
 
288 
 
1,551 
 
179 
 
-566 
 
2,067 671 
1,396 
 
4,066 3,041 1,025 
 
585 
 
820 
 
211 
 
2,348 
 
374 
 
-1,528 
 
UNITED STATES LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
United States (Seasonally adjusted) 
United States (Not seasonally adjusted) 
 
EMPLOYMENT STAlUS 
Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 
Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 
 
FEB1998 
137,557,000 131, 163,000 
6,393,000 4.6 
136,286,000 129,482,000 
6,804,000 5.0 
 
JAN1998 
137,493,000 131,083,000 
6,409,000 4.7 
135,951,000 128,882,000 
7,069,000 5.2 
 
FEB1997 
135,689,000 128,515,000 
7,174,000 5.3 
134,535,000 126,887,000 
7,647,000 5.7 
 
CHANGE FROM 
 
JAN1998 
 
FEB1997 
 
64,000 80,000 -16,000 
 
1,868,000 2,648,000 -781,000 
 
335,000 600,000 -265,000 
 
1,751,000 2,595,000 -843,000 
 
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 Market Information 
 
11 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES(NO~SEAS~NALLYADJUSTED),:, ,i'. .,;.,-: 
 
PLACEOFRESIDENCE-PERSQ-iS16YEARSOLDANDOVER  
 
0 
  
 
... 
 
 
 
. -. '" _ 
."'. : 
 
I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
LABOR FORCE 
 
EMPLOYMENT 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
LABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTLABOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT 
 
NUMBER RATE 
 
Georgia 
 
3,924,742 3,762,609 162,133 4.1 3,879,736 3,733,947 145,789 3.8 3,849,114 3,663,088 186,026 4.8 
 
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 
 
8,612 3,400 4,662 1,545 18,378 
6,043 19,515 36,553 8,868 
7,002 
75,990 5,375 5,610 7,581 10,167 
26,296 8,440 8,530 2,252 15,933 
4,166 42,814 24,358 3,894 106,791 
2,261 11,941 71,351 47,767 
1,644 
119,858 4,080 
335,282 18,027 18,981 
41,001 7,589 
40,156 5,087 9,793 
6,837 10,730 12,205 360,657 9,362 
4,645 46,338 49,170 4,976 
1,094 
 
7,747 3,102 4,217 1,417 16,672 
 
865 10.0 298 8.8 445 9.5 128 8.3 1,706 9.3 
 
5,777 18,731 34,815 
8,393 6,722 
 
266 4.4 784 4.0 1,738 4.8 475 5.4 280 4.0 
 
71,605 5,125 5,237 6,944 9,870 
 
4,385 5.8 250 4.7 373 6.6 637 8.4 297 2.9 
 
25,386 7,388 8,117 2,111 15,290 
 
910 3.5 1,052 12.5 
413 4.8 141 6.3 643 4.0 
 
3,958 40,719 23,645 3,706 102,196 
 
208 5.0 2,095 4.9 
713 2.9 188 4.8 4,595 4.3 
 
2,101 11,483 69,688 46,334 
1,519 
 
160 7.1 458 3.8 1,663 2.3 1,433 3.0 125 7.6 
 
115,578 3,926 
326,700 16,965 18,177 
 
4,280 3.6 154 3.8 
8,582 2.6 1,062 5.9 
804 4.2 
 
39,576 7,219 
38,951 4,847 9,228 
 
1,425 3.5 370 4.9 
1,205 3.0 240 4.7 565 5.8 
 
6,619 
 
218 3.2 
 
10,488 
 
242 2.3 
 
11,662 
 
543 4.4 
 
347,313 13,344 3.7 
 
8,688 
 
674 7.2 
 
4,331 43,069 47,682 
4,657 1,070 
 
314 6.8 3,269 7.1 1,488 3.0 
319 6.4 24 2.2 
 
8,425 3,343 4,754 1,485 17,281 
5,929 19,326 36,188 8,733 
6,880 
74,888 5,309 5,575 7,440 10,103 
25,973 8,288 8,325 2,192 15,781 
4,049 42,430 24,602 
3,851 106,356 
2,253 11,926 70,710 47,001 
1,596 
118,485 3,984 
331,934 17,809 18,702 
40,838 7,435 
39,804 4,981 9,631 
6,920 10,717 12,003 356,755 
9,035 
4,518 45,953 48,690 
4,872 1,084 
 
7,659 3,044 4,164 1,366 16,582 
 
766 9.1 299 8.9 590 12.4 119 8.0 699 4.0 
 
5,701 18,587 34,546 
8,280 6,600 
 
228 3.8 739 3.8 1,642 4.5 453 5.2 280 4.1 
 
71,276 5,070 5,196 6,879 9,854 
 
3,612 4.8 239 4.5 379 6.8 561 7.5 249 2.5 
 
25,174 7,295 8,062 2,050 
15, 186 
 
799 3.1 993 12.0 263 3.2 142 6.5 595 3.8 
 
3,888 40,405 23,588 
3,680 102,027 
 
161 4.0 2,025 4.8 1,014 4.1 
171 4.4 4,329 4.1 
 
2,094 11,412 69,151 45,639 
1,485 
 
159 7.1 514 4.3 1,559 2.2 1,362 2.9 111 7.0 
 
114,687 3,880 
324,181 16,718 17,886 
 
3,798 3.2 104 2.6 
7,753 2.3 1,091 6.1 
816 4.4 
 
39,514 7,115 
38,650 4,791 9,085 
 
1,324 3.2 320 4.3 
1,154 2.9 190 3.8 546 5.7 
 
6,604 10,435 11,505 344,634 8,606 
 
316 4.6 282 2.6 498 4.1 12,121 3.4 429 4.7 
 
4,263 42,972 47,314 
4,559 1,060 
 
255 5.6 2,981 6.5 1,376 2.8 
313 6.4 24 2.2 
 
8,328 3,358 4,485 1,538 17,183 
6,035 19,015 35,783 8,698 
6,850 
73,793 5,274 5,561 7,519 10,130 
25,345 8,447 8,401 2,240 15,755 
4,041 41,500 24,881 
3,850 106, 114 
2,221 11,930 69,391 46,315 
1,664 
117,147 3,963 
326,456 17,537 18,768 
41,169 7,556 
39,087 4,925 9,544 
6,919 10,568 11,836 352,629 9,204 
4,662 45,913 47,658 5,000 
1,077 
 
7,619 2,980 4,131 1,391 16,397 
 
709 8.5 37811.3 354 7.9 147 9.6 786 4.6 
 
5,619 18,129 33,696 
8,122 6,456 
 
416 6.9 886 4.7 2,087 5.8 576 6.6 394 5.8 
 
70,115 5,013 5,129 6,765 9,688 
 
3,678 5.0 261 4.9 432 7.8 75410.0 442 4.4 
 
24,559 7,176 7,956 2,067 
14,938 
 
786 3.1 1,27115.0 
445 5.3 173 7.7 817 5.2 
 
3,865 39,411 23,593 
3,620 100,316 
 
176 4.4 2,089 5.0 1,288 5.2 
230 6.0 5,798 5.5 
 
2,073 11,400 67,450 44,982 
1,480 
 
148 6.7 530 4.4 1,941 2.8 1,333 2.9 18411.1 
 
111,865 3,790 
316,206 16,463 17,649 
 
5,282 4.5 173 4.4 
10,250 3.1 1,074 6.1 1,119 6.0 
 
39,369 7,047 
37,700 4,650 8,975 
 
1,800 4.4 509 6.7 
1,387 3.5 275 5.6 569 6.0 
 
6,605 10,323 11,244 336,156 8,562 
 
314 4.5 245 2.3 592 5.0 16,473 4.7 642 7.0 
 
4,212 42,848 46,150 
4,518 1,042 
 
450 9.7 3,065 6.7 1,508 3.2 
482 9.6 35 3.2 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16 YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin 
Fayette Floyd Forsyth 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 
 
I I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
LABOR FORCE 
 
EMPLOYMENT 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
LABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTLASOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT 
 
NUMBER RATE 
 
15,986 9,142 8,593 4,844 8,480 
 
15,508 8,381 7,914 4,671 8,019 
 
478 3.0 761 8.3 679 7.9 173 3.6 461 5.4 
 
15,901 9,018 8,371 4,761 8,450 
 
15,483 8,292 7,835 4,612 7,971 
 
418 2.6 726 8.1 536 6.4 149 3.1 479 5.7 
 
15,881 8,938 8,815 4,759 8,454 
 
15,223 8,144 7,898 4,546 7,846 
 
658 4.1 794 8.9 91710.4 213 4.5 608 7.2 
 
45,811 45,948 39,915 10,041 395,099 
 
44,815 
 
996 2.2 
 
44,047 1,901 4.1 
 
39,133 
 
782 2.0 
 
9,674 
 
367 3.7 
 
380,211 14,888 3.8 
 
45,319 45,507 39,666 
9,927 391,239 
 
44,469 
 
850 1.9 
 
43,805 1,702 3.7 
 
38,831 
 
835 2.1 
 
9,571 
 
356 3.6 
 
377,279 13,960 3.6 
 
44,428 45,554 38,759 10,142 387,061 
 
43,375 43,270 37,876 
9,500 367,998 
 
1,053 2.4 2,284 5.0 
883 2.3 642 6.3 19,063 4.9 
 
8,428 1,159 34,608 21,339 9,427 
 
7,869 1,007 33,471 20,540 8,871 
 
559 6.6 152 13.1 1,137 3.3 799 3.7 556 5.9 
 
8,300 1,135 34,415 21, 110 9,196 
 
7,795 997 
33,298 20,373 
8,698 
 
505 6.1 138 12.2 1,117 3.2 737 3.5 498 5.4 
 
8,212 1,195 33,943 21,525 10,122 
 
7,660 998 
32,533 20,062 
8,981 
 
552 6.7 19716.5 1,410 4.2 1,463 6.8 1,14111.3 
 
5,671 302,626 
14,974 67,603 
4,233 
 
5,346 295,481 
14,471 65,564 3,445 
 
325 5.7 7,145 2.4 
503 3.4 2,039 3.0 
788 18.6 
 
5,595 299,753 
14,798 66,979 
3,708 
 
5,289 293,202 
14,312 65,168 
3,412 
 
306 5.5 6,551 2.2 
486 3.3 1,811 2.7 
296 8.0 
 
5,547 293,851 
15,080 66,174 
3,850 
 
5,174 285,990 
14,088 63,935 
3,370 
 
373 6.7 7,861 2.7 
992 6.6 2,239 3.4 
48012.5 
 
9,289 10,902 
8,452 3,831 51,572 
 
8,679 10,645 
8,114 3,631 50,120 
 
610 6.6 257 2.4 338 4.0 200 5.2 1,452 2.8 
 
9,303 10,897 8,386 3,809 50,936 
 
8,625 10,610 
8,028 3,605 49,733 
 
678 7.3 287 2.6 358 4.3 204 5.4 1,203 2.4 
 
9,225 10,914 
8,416 3,791 49,837 
 
8,559 10,500 
7,910 3,562 48,510 
 
666 7.2 414 3.8 506 6.0 229 6.0 1,327 2.7 
 
50,695 4,592 
21,486 4,934 5,766 
 
48,715 4,370 
20,695 4,769 5,343 
 
1,980 3.9 222 4.8 791 3.7 165 3.3 423 7.3 
 
50,199 4,497 
21,221 4,912 5,633 
 
48,491 4,312 
20,495 4,729 5,277 
 
1,708 3.4 185 4.1 726 3.4 183 3.7 356 6.3 
 
49,663 4,533 
21,029 4,906 5,514 
 
47,701 4,229 
20,192 4,597 5,149 
 
1,962 4.0 304 6.7 837 4.0 309 6.3 365 6.6 
 
8,179 4,641 4,138 12,140 7,450 
 
7,002 4,425 3,488 11,473 7,168 
 
1,177 14.4 216 4.7 650 15.7 667 5.5 282 3.8 
 
7,598 4,577 3,864 11,830 7,374 
 
6,918 4,359 3,451 11,420 7,120 
 
680 8.9 218 4.8 413 10.7 410 3.5 254 3.4 
 
8,064 4,493 3,668 11,650 7,462 
 
6,939 4,266 3,428 11,234 7,187 
 
1,12514.0 227 5.1 240 6.5 416 3.6 275 3.7 
 
3,229 24,758 10,861 17,341 
3,633 
 
3,127 21,380 10,347 16,194 
3,433 
 
102 3.2 3,378 13.6 
514 4.7 1,147 6.6 
200 5.5 
 
3,163 22,363 10,786 17,212 3,647 
 
3,098 21,204 10,324 16,096 
3,405 
 
65 2.1 1,159 5.2 
462 4.3 1,116 6.5 
242 6.6 
 
3,172 21,807 10,753 17,254 
3,614 
 
3,047 20,901 10,294 15,875 
3,382 
 
125 3.9 906 4.2 459 4.3 1,379 8.0 232 6.4 
 
3,498 40,700 
9,548 9,369 4,344 
 
3,380 39,133 
9,255 8,798 4,158 
 
118 3.4 1,567 3.9 
293 3.1 571 6.1 186 4.3 
 
3,484 40,182 
9,480 9,475 4,286 
 
3,360 38,765 
9,188 8,784 4,118 
 
124 3.6 1,417 3.5 
292 3.1 691 7.3 168 3.9 
 
3,477 39,774 
9,393 9,848 4,265 
 
3,313 38,126 
9,145 8,752 3,969 
 
164 4.7 1,648 4.1 
248 2.6 1,09611.1 
296 6.9 
 
5,634 13,581 
3,451 9,034 3,050 
 
5,086 13,085 3,286 
8,661 2,936 
 
548 9.7 496 3.7 165 4.8 373 4.1 114 3.7 
 
5,489 13,344 3,399 9,030 2,973 
 
4,982 12,889 
3,245 8,603 2,873 
 
507 9.2 455 3.4 154 4.5 427 4.7 100 3.4 
 
5,723 13,367 3,279 8,943 3,018 
 
4,947 12,703 
3,127 8,519 2,839 
 
77613.6 664 5.0 152 4.6 424 4.7 179 5.9 
 
11, 122 7,858 3,837 7,137 
18,092 
 
10,214 7,280 3,532 6,863 
17,195 
 
908 8.2 578 7.4 305 7.9 274 3.8 897 5.0 
 
10,883 7,753 3,747 6,999 
17,927 
 
10,029 7,234 3,493 6,762 
17, 111 
 
854 7.8 519 6.7 254 6.8 237 3.4 816 4.6 
 
11,338 7,369 3,753 7,094 18,287 
 
10,027 7,001 3,418 6,692 
17,037 
 
1,31111.6 368 5.0 335 8.9 402 5.7 
1,250 6.8 
13 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES(NOTSEASONALLYADJUSTED) 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16_YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
- .- 
_-_-_ :; 
 
I I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
IABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
IABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTIABOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding 
 
83,005 27,234 12,765 
5,242 35,011 
 
79,240 25,917 12,527 
5,021 34,241 
 
3,765 4.5 1,317 4.8 
238 1.9 221 4.2 770 2.2 
 
Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk 
 
10,891 9,449 7,437 6,195 15,425 
 
10,352 9,145 7,059 5,963 14,648 
 
539 4.9 304 3.2 378 5.1 232 3.7 777 5.0 
 
Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph 
 
4,416 8,798 1,283 6,998 3,518 
 
4,203 8,460 1,224 6,742 3,127 
 
213 4.8 338 3.8 
59 4.6 256 3.7 391 11.1 
 
Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole 
 
80,786 37,925 
1,791 6,198 4,619 
 
75,360 36,780 
1,700 5,660 4,419 
 
5,426 6.7 1,145 3.0 
91 5.1 538 8.7 200 4.3 
 
Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot 
 
29,909 12,989 2,583 15,643 2,567 
 
28,436 12,366 
2,402 14,384 2,458 
 
1,473 4.9 623 4.8 181 7.0 
1,259 8.0 109 4.2 
 
Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell 
 
648 7,331 3,486 5,034 4,116 
 
603 6,942 3,273 4,736 3,647 
 
45 6.9 389 5.3 213 6.1 298 5.9 469 11.4 
 
Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen 
 
21,073 20,547 12,566 
3,473 2,937 
 
20,272 19,418 11,596 3,223 2,645 
 
801 3.8 1,129 5.p 
970 7.7 250 7.2 292 9.9 
 
Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson 
 
28,646 4,538 4,258 6,970 12,931 
 
27,275 4,085 3,986 6,672 
12,534 
 
1,371 4.8 453 10.0 272 6.4 298 4.3 397 3.1 
 
Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington 
 
30,370 25,638 15,729 
2,741 10,231 
 
28,602 24,803 15,077 
2,501 9,222 
 
1,768 5.8 835 3.3 652 4.1 240 8.8 
1,009 9.9 
 
Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield 
 
11,071 1, 151 2,182 9,378 
46,486 
 
10,230 1,100 1,964 9,027 
44,881 
 
841 7.6 51 4.4 
218 10.0 351 3.7 1,605 3.5 
 
Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth 
 
3,395 5,734 4,646 9,083 
 
3,159 5,372 4,281 8,471 
 
236 7.0 362 6.3 365 7.9 612 6.7 
 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
14 
 
82,556 26,919 12,556 
5,186 34,801 
10,813 9,378 7,334 6,114 
15,298 
4,328 8,641 1,259 6,917 3,395 
80,279 37,641 
1,766 6,067 4,503 
29,342 12,946 2,517 15,453 2,548 
636 7,112 3,400 4,949 4,083 
20,826 20,085 12,454 
3,473 2,827 
28,457 4,481 4,176 6,968 12,818 
29,958 25,406 15,608 
2,716 9,956 
10,912 1,133 2,066 9,234 
46,176 
3,378 5,601 4,488 8,858 
 
78,976 25,718 12,339 4,961 33,977 
 
3,580 4.3 1,201 4.5 
217 1.7 225 4.3 824 2.4 
 
10,304 9,075 6,952 5,922 14,575 
 
509 4.7 303 3.2 382 5.2 192 3.1 723 4.7 
 
4,150 8,383 1,212 6,701 3,082 
 
178 4.1 258 3.0 
47 3.7 216 3.1 313 9.2 
 
75,243 36,496 
1,685 5,581 4,325 
 
5,036 6.3 1,145 3.0 
81 4.6 486 8.0 178 4.0 
 
28,217 12,285 2,375 14,232 2,437 
 
1,125 3.8 661 5.1 142 5.6 
1,221 7.9 111 4.4 
 
591 6,780 3,225 4,671 3,580 
 
45 7.1 332 4.7 175 5.1 278 5.6 503 12.3 
 
20,060 19,158 11,468 3,198 2,616 
 
766 3.7 927 4.6 986 7.9 275 7.9 211 7.5 
 
27,117 4,007 3,968 6,586 12,455 
 
1,340 4.7 474 10.6 208 5.0 382 5.5 363 2.8 
 
28,533 24,612 14,968 
2,474 9,133 
 
1,425 4.8 794 3.1 640 4.1 242 8.9 823 8.3 
 
10,149 1,078 1,936 8,947 
44,614 
 
763 7.0 55 4.9 130 6.3 
287 3.1 1,562 3.4 
 
3,110 5,324 4,251 8,310 
 
268 7.9 277 4.9 237 5.3 548 6.2 
 
82,192 26,228 12,435 
5,140 34,146 
10,736 9,237 7,404 6,000 15,473 
4,319 8,815 1,272 6,864 3,441 
81,033 36,690 
1,778 6,439 4,566 
28,996 12,859 2,547 15,333 2,599 
638 7,233 3,480 4,918 4,007 
20,877 20,713 12,547 
3,610 2,762 
28,153 4,468 4,065 6,957 12,810 
30,454 25,503 15,576 
2,759 9,509 
10,845 1,121 2,143 9,328 
46,710 
3,564 5,645 4,459 9,470 
 
78,154 25,085 12, 161 4,881 33, 141 
10,136 8,851 6,956 5,787 14,452 
4,098 8,282 1,189 6,549 3,047 
74,966 35,598 
1,650 5,613 4,331 
27,523 11,990 2,363 14,035 2,410 
582 6,825 3,184 4,558 3,570 
19,877 18,906 11,219 
3,120 2,559 
26,532 3,962 3,903 6,448 
12,210 
28,540 24,006 14,720 
2,452 8,979 
9,907 1,057 1,890 8,854 44,194 
3,072 5,256 4,222 8,180 
 
4,038 4.9 1,143 4.4 
274 2.2 259 5.0 1,005 2.9 
600 5.6 386 4.2 448 6.1 213 3.6 1,021 6.6 
221 5.1 533 6.0 
83 6.5 315 4.6 39411.5 
6,067 7.5 1,092 3.0 
128 7.2 82612.8 235 5.1 
1,473 5.1 869 6.8 184 7.2 
1,298 8.5 189 7.3 
56 8.8 408 5.6 296 8.5 360 7.3 43710.9 
1,000 4.8 1,807 8.7 1,32810.6 
49013.6 203 7.3 
1,621 5.8 50611.3 162 4.0 509 7.3 600 4.7 
1,914 6.3 1,497 5.9 
856 5.5 30711.1 530 5.6 
938 8.6 64 5.7 
25311.8 474 5.1 2,516 5.4 
49213.8 389 6.9 237 5.3 1,29013.6 
 
 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE STATISTICS 
 
Weekly unemployment insurance initial claims 
 
Weekly unemployment insurance claims* 
 
 
 
through February28, 1998 
 
through February 28, 1998 
 
35~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
100~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------. 
 
-1997 !Sl1998 
 
-1997 i;s:i 1998 
 
30 80 
 
25 
 
80 
 
40 
 
20 
 
Jan Feb Mar 
 
Apr May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug Sep Oct Nov 
 
Dec 
 
Week ending 02/28/98: 5,259 (Initial Claims) 
 
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug Sep Oct 
 
Nov Dec 
 
Week ending 02/28/98: 35,013 *These figures reflect continued weeks claimed and not individuals. 
 
Seasonal layoffs end ... 
 
 The seasonal drop in initial claims from January to February occurs every year as short-term scheduled layoffs end. This event has little to do with the health ofthe economy. After the holiday season, the demand for manufactured goods and extra retail help decreases causing new claims to rise substantially.By February the scheduled manufacturing layoffs are over and many part-time workers have found other employment resulting in a large drop in initial claims activity. This year, new claims dropped 46.9 percent; but in comparison to last February, new claims were up 3.7 percent. (See graph at bottom ofpage). 
 
benefits forthe twelve-month period ending February 1998 declined to 9.2 weeks, its lowest level since March 1996. 
 In February, first payments declined almost 50 percent, dropping from 32,554 to 17,270; while over 7,600 beneficiaries exhausted their benefits. During calendar year 1997, first payments ranged from a high of 39,338 in January to a low of 10,507 in November with a monthly average of 15,026. Likewise, final payments (exhaustees) for calendar year 1997 ranged from a high of 5,232inJuly to a lowof3,163 in October with an averageof3,957. 
 
 Over 29,000 fewer beneficiaries received UI payments in February than January with an average weekly benefit amount of $158.32, over $6.00 more than last month. The January average weekly benefit amount was lower since seasonal workers tend to qualify for lower-than-average benefits. The average duration of 
 
 Over $3 million less in benefits were paid in February compared to last year; while the month-to-month decline was $4.8 million, or 18.6 percent. Weeks paid for the same time periods dropped 14.4 percent and 21.9 percent, respectively. The average monthly amount paid in benefits during the last twelve months was $21.2 million. 
 
Decrease in new claims filed from January to February 
 
100,000 
 
~January DFebruary 
 
80,000 
 
60,000 
 
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 
 
Years 
 
15 
 
 STATE OF GEORGIA - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LABOR MARKET INFORMATION 
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1751 
OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE - $300 
 
 - \:Tr\ 
LLOO.t4b 
Pl T7 
2A{l 
 
FEBRUARY 1998 DATA 
 
Growth Diversifies 
 
VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 2 
 
T he state added 18,200 jobs in February, mostly in the services division. Government and construction also gained, while employment in manu- 
 
The construction division gained 1,900 jobs, almost all in special trades. An unusually warm February may have contributed to an increase in minor repairs and remodeling. Work on major projects 
 
facturing and trade fell. Over the year, the will be postponed until spring. For the 
 
state's payrolls have grown by 134,600, year, the division's employment has risen 
 
with services again adding the most jobs. by 13,400, with the proportion of jobs in 
 
Employment in every industry division has general building construction and special 
 
increased significantly, however, providing contracting staying virtually equal. Road 
 
considerable diversity to the state's growth. and sewer construction has also increased 
 
The mining division gained 100 jobs substantially over the year. This sector 
 
in February, recouping its loss from the once was thought to be vulnerable to a 
 
previous month. The division has added 500 cut-off of federal transportation funds due 
 
jobs over the last year, a notable increase to ongoing violations of the Clean Air Act 
 
for this industry. Mining in Georgia cen- in the Atlanta metro area. Now it seems 
 
ters on kaolin, which is used in paper pro- that growth will merely shift to more dis- 
 
cessing, and the demand for paper has tant counties, increasing both traffic and 
 
risen. 
 
Continued on page 2 
 
HIGHLIGHTS 
,/ All metro areas gain employment over the year 
,/ Metro areas grow at 3.9% over the year; non-metro, 3. 7% 
,/ Georgia's unemployment rate edges up to 4.1% 
,/ Georgia's unemployment rate remains below the U.S. rate 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Marti Fullerton, Commissioner 
 
148 INrERNATIONAL BLVD., N.E. + ATI.ANI'A. GEORGIA 30303-1751 + 404-656-3177 
 
 GEORGIA LABOR MARKET TRENDS 
 
- 
 
Growth diversifies 
 
Continued from page 1 
congestion. Employment in the manufacturing 
division dropped by 900 in February, as a broad-based but moderate increase in durable goods was wiped out by yet another loss in nondurable goods. Employment in textile manufacturing fell by 1,600, almost completely due to a temporary shutdown at a single large mill. Losses in apparel employment moderated slightly, while the other nondurable sectors experienced little or no change. For the year, the division has gained 1,900 jobs, with a loss of 6,600 in nondurable goods manufacturing partially offsetting a gain of 8,500 in durables. The nondurable losses are concentrated in textiles and apparel, with the latter suffering another doubledigit percentage decline. Paper and allied products have added 900 jobs over the year, while chemicals have gained 500. The durable goods sector leading in annual employment growth is transportation equipment, with strong increases in both aircraft and motor vehicles; however, every sector of durable goods manufacturing except lumber and wood products and instruments has experienced solid growth over the year. 
The transportation, communications and public utilities division added 900 jobs due to the continuing strength of the transportation sector, as both communications and utilities were virtually unchanged. The growth in transportation was centered once again in trucking and warehousing and transportation by air; other transportation, which includes the volatile water transportation sector, was down slightly for the month. Over the year, the division has gained 11,200 jobs, 8,200 of them in transportation. Trucking and warehousing and transportation by air have both increased at about 6 percent annually, compared to the division's growth rate of 5 percent. Telephone communications have a 2 percent annual growth rate, while non-telephone communications have expanded at over 10 per- 
 
cent annually due to rapid growth in cable and satellite television. 
The trade division experienced a seasonal February decline of 2,800 jobs. Retail trade employment fell 4,300, driven by a 5,900 loss in general department stores. Apparel and home furnishings stores also lost jobs; the other retail sectors were up only slightly except for eating and drinking establishments, which gained 2,700 jobs. Wholesale trade of durable goods continued to perform strongly, adding 1,200 jobs. Over the year, the division's employment has increased by 31,200, 18,800 in retail and 12,400 in wholesale. The gain in wholesale employment has been sparked by the trade of durable goods, which has expanded at an almost 7 percent rate since last February. Retail trade employment continues to grow at a rate below that of most other divisions, held back by modest growth in eating and drinking establishments, almost no growth in general merchandise stores and a loss in apparel stores. 
Activity in the finance, insurance and real estate division was subdued in February, as very few of its component sectors showed much change. Finance was flat, with growth in non-depository institutions and brokers and other securities dealers offset by a loss in depository institutions. Insurance rose only slightly, while real estate was unchanged. For the year, the division has gained 8,600 jobs, with both finance and real estate growing at close to 6 percent and insurance trailing at 2.5 percent. Within finance, most of the new jobs have been in non-depository institutions and securities dealers; these two industries combined are growing at a rate of over 9 percent annually. 
The services division contributed 15,200 jobs or well over 80 percent of February's total employment rise, with almost all of its component sectors gaining jobs. The sector leading in growth for the month was personnel supply services, 
 
rebounding strongly from its decline in January. Other sectors with large monthly gains were miscellaneous business services, primarily guard and security services; amusement and recreation services, a seasonal rise; engineering, accounting, research and management services; and personal services. Both of the latter increases are related to income tax preparation. The division has added 55,500 jobs during the last year, over 40 percent of the statewide total. The sector with the largest over-the-year gain is personnel supply services, as the trend of using temporary workers shows no signs of abating. All other components of the business services sector have also grown strongly over the last year, as have engineering and the other professional services; social services, which includes job training, day care, and residential care; parking and other automobile services; and hotels and other lodging places. 
Employment in the government division rose by 3,700 in February, with increases at all three levels. The federal government gained 1,100 jobs, about half in a defense-related buildup associated with activities in the Persian Gulf and most of the remainder at the Treasury Department as it began to process income tax returns. State government added 2, 100 jobs, over 85 percent in education. Local education fe11 slightly, but other local government rose enough to offset the loss. Over the year, public sector employment has risen by 12,300. Employment at the federal level has decreased everywhere except the Postal Service. State government outside of education is also down due to new technologies and continued privatization. Local government has increased its employment by 3 percent over the last year, about a percentage point faster than the latest estimates of population growth. The school-age population may be increasing slightly faster than the population as a whole. 
 
Produced by the Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics 
2 
 
 i' 
 
:; 
 
~ INDUSTRV~T'RENDS 
 
 
 
~ :. 
 
~ 
 
Total nonagricultural employment 
Georgia 
Thousands 
3,800 
 
~ 
 
~ 
 
3,700 
 
3,600 
 
3,500 
 
3,400 
 
3,300 
 
JFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJF 
 
199s 
 
I 
 
1997 
 
l199a 
 
Employment by industry 
 
Thousands 60.0 
 
Over-the-year change February 1998 
 
55.5 
 
50.0 
 
40.0 
 
30.0 
 
20.0 
 
"10.0 
 
0.0 
 
Transportation, Construction Manufacturing communications 
& public utilities 
 
Wholesale & retail trade 
 
Finance, insurance & real estate 
 
Services 
 
Government 
 
3 
 
 GEORG IA NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ....................................... . GO<?d.s producing industries .......................................... . Mining .......................................................... . Contract construction .............................................. . Manufacturing .................................................... . Durable goods .................................................. . Lumber and wood products ...................................... . Logging camps, sawmills and planing mills ......................... . Furniture and fixtures ........................................... . Household furniture ........................................... . Stone, clay and glass products ................................... . Primary metal industries ......................................... . Fabricated metal products ....................................... . Industrial machinery, except electric ............................... . Electric and electronic equipment ................................. . Transportation equipment ........................................ . Other durable goods ............................................ . Nondurable goods ............................................... . Food and kindred products ...................................... . Meat products ................................................ . Bakery products ................................ ; ............. . Textile mill products ............................................ . Weaving mills, cotton .......................................... . Weaving mills, synthetic ........................................ . Knitting mills ................................................. . Floor covering mills ........................................... . Yarn and thread mills .......................................... . Apparel and other finished textiles ................................. . Men's and boys' clothing ....................................... . Women's and children's clothing ................................. . Paper and allied products ........................................ . Pulp, paper and paperboard mills ................................ . Paperboard containers and boxes ............................... . Printing and publishing .......................................... . Commercial printing ........................................... . Chemicals and allied products .................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ......................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ........ . Transportation .................................................. . Communications (except U.S. Postal Service) ......................... . Electric, gas and sanitary services .................................. . Wholesale and retail trade .......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................. . 
Wholesale trade-durable goods ................................... . Wholesale trade-nondurable goods ................................ . Retail trade ..................................................... . General merchandise ........................................... . Eating and drinking ............................................. . Finance, insurance and real estate ................................... . Finance ........................................................ . Insurance carriers, agents and brokers .............................. . Real estate ..................................................... . Services ........................................................ . Hot~ls and oth~r lodging places .................................... . Business services ............................................... . Health services ................................................. . Private hospitals ............................................... . Other services .................................................. . Amusement and recreation ...................................... . Government ..................................................... . Federal ........................................................ . Defense ...................................................... . Other federal (including U.S. Postal Service) ........................ . State .......................................................... . State education ................................................ . Other state ................................................... . Local .......................................................... . Local education ................................................ . Other local .................................................... . 
 
3,673.7 769.2 8.2 173.3 587.7 251.0 40.6 13.4 11.3 5.8 21.3 14.5 25.5 37.6 34.9 48.0 17.3 336.7 69.2 35.0 8.9 104.8 15.6 9.5 6.3 40.6 18.2 31.9 12.7 8.6 35.0 13.9 8.9 43.4 17.2 21.8 30.6 
2,904.5 235.5 144.0 
67.3 24.2 918.9 249.4 162.5 86.9 
669.5 81.0 
241.0 191.2 
91.2 62.0 38.0 970.0 44.5 278.9 230.2 90.7 416.4 29.2 588.9 93.9 27.8 66.1 150.0 67.1 82.9 345.0 203.6 141.4 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) 
JAN 1998 
3,655.5 768.1 8.1 171.4 588.6 250.2 40.4 13.3 11.4 5.8 21.3 14.5 25.3 37.3 34.8 47.9 17.3 338.4 69.2 34.8 9.0 106.4 15.6 9.6 6.2 40.5 18.2 32.4 13.1 8.9 34.8 14.0 8.7 43.4 17.3 21.6 30.6 
2,887.4 234.6 143.0 67.4 24.2 921.7 247.9 161.3 86.6 673.8 86.9 238.3 191.1 91.2 61.9 38.0 954.8 44.1 273.2 229.2 90.6 408.3 27.3 585.2 92.8 27.3 65.5 147.9 65.3 82.6 344.5 203.8 140.7 
 
CURRENT 
MONTH YEAR AGO 
FEB1997 
3,539.1 753.4 7.7 159.9 585.8 242.5 40.5 13.6 10.6 5.3 20.4 13.9 24.4 36.4 33.9 45.2 17.2 343.3 69.2 35.3 9.0 108.4 16.1 9.1 7.1 41.4 17.8 36.5 14.8 11.2 34.1 13.7 8.6 43.5 17.6 21.3 30.3 
2,785.7 224.3 135.8 64.9 23.6 887.7 237.0 152.3 84.7 650.7 80.3 234.0 182.6 86.2 60.5 35.9 914.5 42.1 253.6 225.8 88.1 393.0 27.8 576.6 94.4 28.4 66.0 147.3 62.4 84.9 334.9 197.5 137.4 
 
- NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+18.2 +1.1 +.1 +1.9 -.9 +.8 +.2 +.1 -.1 
+.O +.O +.O +.2 +.3 +.1 +.1 +.O -1.7 
+.O +.2 -.1 -1.6 
+.O -.1 +.1 +.1 +.O -.5 -.4 -.3 +.2 -.1 +.2 +.O -.1 
+.2 +.O +17.1 +.9 +1.0 -.1 
+.O -2.8 +1.5 +1.2 +.3 -4.3 -5.9 +2.7 +.1 +.O +.1 +.O +15.2 +.4 +5.7 +1.0 +.1 +8.1 +1.9 +3.7 +1.1 +.5 +.6 +2.1 +1.8 +.3 +.5 -.2 
+.7 
 
+134.6 +15.8 +.5 +13.4 +1.9 +8.5 +.1 -.2 +.7 +.5 +.9 +.6 +1.1 +1.2 +1.0 +2.8 +.1 -6.6 +.O -.3 -.1 -3.6 -.5 
+.4 -.8 -.8 +.4 -4.6 -2.1 -2.6 +.9 +.2 +.3 -.1 -.4 
+.5 +.3 +118.8 +11.2 +8.2 +2.4 +.6 +31.2 +12.4 +10.2 +2.2 
+18.8 +.7 
+7.0 +8.6 +5.0 +1.5 +2.1 +55.5 +2.4 +25.3 +4.4 +2.6 +23.4 +1.4 +12.3 
-.5 -.6 +.1 +2.7 +4.7 -2.0 +10.1 +6.1 +4.0 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers throughout Georgia. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
4 
 
 - ~,,,. 
 
~ 
 
, 
 
'- - 
 
: GECJRGIA HOURS-AND EARNINGS 
 
;;;:: ~ ~~=~ " , - - , - 
 
- 
 
- 
 
-AVERAGEWEEKLYEARNINGS- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRE LIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
Total manufacturing ........................ $495.46 
 
Durable goods ........................... $524.56 
 
Lumber and wood products ............... $392.03 
 
Furniture and fixtures .................... $403.01 
 
Stone, clay and glass products ............ $611.48 
 
Primary metal industries .................. 
Fabricated metal products ................ 
 
$588.24 $448.98 
 
Industrial machinery ..................... 
Electric and electronic equipment .......... 
 
$489.30 $487.53 
 
Transportation equipment ................. $793.58 
 
Nondurable goods ........................ 
Food and kindred products ............... Textile mill products ..................... 
 
$473.41 $422.92 $439.72 
 
Weaving mills, cotton ................... $418.31 
 
Weaving mills, synthetic ................ 
Knitting mills .......................... Floor covering mills .................... Yarn and thread mills ................... 
 
$486.02 $388.96 $458.85 $439.07 
 
Apparel and other finished textiles .......... $268.52 
 
Men's and boys' clothing ................ $241.09 
 
Women's and children's clothing .......... $284.28 
 
Paper and allied products ................. 
Pulp, paper and paperboard mills ......... 
 
$726.34 $993.47 
 
Chemicals and allied products ............. $656.07 
 
$500.22 $530.44 $410.46 $413.65 $577.28 $601.22 $460.71 $466.62 $492.88 $821.92 $479.39 $430.31 $443.08 $431.96 $489.19 $373.67 $462.44 $437.65 $282.22 $265.72 $290.24 $720.59 $938.91 $663.92 
 
$483.11 $534.53 $390.00 $386.80 $520.80 $521.79 $442.98 $488.35 $543.44 $887.59 $446.61 $388.00 $416.90 $403.60 $526.36 $377.58 $412.59 $416.58 $270.84 $247.45 $291.08 $691.96 $930.23 $632.03 
 
-AVERAGE WEEKLY HOURS - 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRE LIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
41.6 42.0 41.9 41.5 41.8 42.9 38.7 40.4 39.0 40.1 41.2 40.0 46.5 43.8 42.0 45.6 46.0 42.7 42.0 43.3 41.4 
42.0 40.4 42.8 40.9 40.7 45.4 43.2 44.5 47.9 41.6 42.2 41.2 
41.1 41.9 40.0 
42.2 42.4 41.4 
40.3 41.1 40.4 
40.3 40.8 43.9 41.6 39.5 40.6 43.7 44.0 41.3 
42.3 41.8 41.7 35.1 36.7 36.6 33.3 36.4 35.0 36.4 36.6 38.0 46.0 46.4 46.1 49.5 47.3 48.5 42.3 43.0 43.8 
 
- 
 
- 
 
-' - ~-AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
$11.91 $12.64 $10.13 $10.05 $13.15 $12.90 $10.69 $11.65 $11.92 $18.37 $11.38 $10.29 $10.42 $10.38 $12.06 $9.35 $10.50 $10.38 $7.65 $7.24 $7.81 $15.79 $20.07 $15.51 
 
$11.91 $12.69 $10.16 $10.04 $13.18 $13.07 $10.64 $11.55 $12.11 $18.47 $11.36 $10.27 $10.45 $10.51 $11.99 $9.46 $10.51 $10.47 $7.69 $7.30 $7.93 $15.53 $19.85 $15.44 
 
$11.53 $12.46 $10.00 
$9.67 $12.40 $12.22 $10.70 $11.41 $11.97 $18.53 $10.84 
$9.70 $10.07 
$9.99 $11.99 
$9.30 $9.99 $9.99 $7.40 $7.07 $7.66 $15.01 $19.18 $14.43 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data exclude supervisory, sales, clerical and other office personnel. Average earnings are computed on a "grossn basis, reflecting changes in basic hourly and incentive wage rates, as well as any premium pay for overtime and late shift work. 
 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
GEORGIA AVERAGE WEEKLY HOURS 
 
Manufacturing production workers 
 
44.0 
 
43.7 
 
43.0 
 
42.0 41.0 . 
 
40.0 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb* 
 
1997 
 
I 199a 
 
*Preliminary estimate 
 
5 
 
 ATLANTA N~~AGRICULTUR~L EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S). . 
 
. . . :'. _.- '. ., . 
 
- 
 
' 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Mining ........................................................ . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Lumber and wood products ..................................... . Stone, clay and glass products .................................. . Primary metal industries ........................................ . Fabricated metal products ...................................... . Industrial machinery, except electrical ............................. . Electric and electronic equipment ................................. . Transportation equipment ....................................... . Other durable goods ........................................... . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textile mill products ............................................ . Apparel and other finished textiles ................................ . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Printing and publishing ......................................... . Commercial printing .......................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Transportation ................................................. . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Wholesale trade-durable goods .................................. . Wholesale trade-nondurable goods ............................... . Retail trade .................................................... . Eating and drinking ............................................ . Miscellaneous retail ............................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Finance ....................................................... . Insurance carriers, agents and brokers ............................. . Real estate .................................................... . Services ....................................................... . Hotels and other lodging places ................................... . Business services .............................................. . Health services ................................................ . Private hospitals .............................................. . Other services ................................................. . Amusement and recreation ..................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State Local ........................................................ . 
 
1,999.0 319.5 1.7 97.3 220.5 110.4 7.7 9.2 8.5 11.7 15.2 18.9 23.0 16.2 110.1 23.5 12.7 7.7 13.4 28.3 11.2 10.4 14.1 
1,679.5 168.3 103.7 524.4 168.5 118.7 49.8 355.9 127.2 39.7 131.0 60.5 46.1 24.4 597.1 26.5 198.9 113.6 44.8 258.0 26.0 258.7 47.1 55.0 156.6 
 
1,985.9 318.8 1.7 96.7 220.4 110.5 7.6 9.2 8.5 11.7 15.4 18.9 23.0 16.2 109.9 23.6 12.6 7.7 13.5 28.2 11.2 10.4 13.9 
1,667.1 167.4 102.8 525.8 167.9 118.4 49.5 357.9 125.5 40.1 130.6 60.4 45.9 24.3 587.0 26.3 194.5 113.2 44.5 253.0 25.0 256.3 46.0 54.0 156.3 
 
1,914.5 307.7 1.6 89.0 217.1 107.6 7.5 8.7 8.3 11.2 15.5 18.5 21.9 16.0 109.5 23.2 12.4 9.1 13.2 27.9 11.2 10.1 13.6 
1,606.8 160.3 96.6 507.2 158.7 110.5 48.2 348.5 125.2 40.2 124.1 56.4 44.1 23.6 559.8 24.9 180.8 110.6 43.5 243.5 25.5 255.4 48.0 53.8 153.6 
 
+13.1 +.7 +.O +.6 +.1 -.1 +.1 +.O +.O +.O -.2 +.O +.O +.O +.2 -.1 +.1 +.O -.1 +.1 +.O +.O +.2 
+12.4 +.9 +.9 -1.4 +.6 +.3 +.3 -2.0 
+1.7 -.4 +.4 +.1 +.2 +.1 
+10.1 +.2 
+4.4 +.4 +.3 
+5.0 +1.0 +2.4 +1.1 +1.0 +.3 
 
+84.5 +11.8 
+.1 +8.3 +3.4 +2.8 
+.2 +.5 +.2 +.5 -.3 +.4 +1.1 +.2 +.6 +.3 +.3 -1.4 +.2 +.4 +.O +.3 +.5 +72.7 +8.0 +7.1 +17.2 +9.8 +8.2 +1.6 +7.4 +2.0 -.5 +6.9 +4.1 +2.0 +.8 +37.3 +1.6 +18.1 +3.0 +1.3 +14.5 +.5 +3.3 -.9 +1.2 +3.0 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
6 
 
 ALBANY NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Mining ......................................................... . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textiles and apparel products ................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
59.2 
 
59.4 
 
58.7 
 
12.3 
 
12.5 
 
12.4 
 
.0 
 
.0 
 
.0 
 
3.6 
 
3.6 
 
3.4 
 
8.7 
 
8.9 
 
9.0 
 
1.9 
 
2.0 
 
2.0 
 
6.8 
 
6.9 
 
7.0 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
2.1 
 
1.0 
 
1.0 
 
.9 
 
.6 
 
.6 
 
.6 
 
3.4 
 
3.5 
 
3.4 
 
46.9 
 
46.9 
 
46.3 
 
3.1 
 
3.1 
 
2.9 
 
14.1 
 
14.0 
 
13.6 
 
3.2 
 
3.2 
 
3.2 
 
10.9 
 
10.8 
 
10.4 
 
2.1 
 
2.1 
 
2.2 
 
15.0 
 
15.1 
 
14.8 
 
12.6 
 
12.6 
 
12.8 
 
2.9 
 
2.9 
 
3.0 
 
9.7 
 
9.7 
 
9.8 
 
-.2 
 
+.5 
 
-.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
-.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Albany Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Dougherty and Lee counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
ATHENS NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Construction and mining ........................................... . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textiles and apparel products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate ....................... , .......... . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
73.5 
 
72.9 
 
70.9 
 
14.0 
 
14.0 
 
13.9 
 
2.5 
 
2.5 
 
2.4 
 
11.5 
 
11.5 
 
11.5 
 
5.1 
 
5.2 
 
5.1 
 
6.4 
 
6.3 
 
6.4 
 
3.2 
 
3.1 
 
3.2 
 
1.5 
 
1.5 
 
1.5 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
59.5 
 
58.9 
 
57.0 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
18.1 
 
17.9 
 
17.9 
 
2.7 
 
2.8 
 
2.9 
 
15.4 
 
15.1 
 
15.0 
 
2.2 
 
2.2 
 
2.2 
 
15.1 
 
15.0 
 
14.7 
 
22.3 
 
22.0 
 
20.4 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
20.6 
 
20.3 
 
18.7 
 
+.6 
 
+2.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+2.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
-.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.3 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.4 
 
+.3 
 
.+1.9 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+1.9 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Clarke, Madison and Oconee counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
7 
 
  ' 
 
~ 
 
., 
 
" - 
 
" 
 
, 
 
0 
 
AWGUS4A--.:J~.IKEN NONAGRICULTURALEMPLOYMENT(OOO'S) 
 
 -~ 
 
- 
 
' - 
 
- 
 
- - ':::_ - 
 
- 
 
~ 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment .................................. . Go~d.s producing industries ..................................... . Mining ..................................................... . Contract construction ......................................... . Manufacturing ............................................... . Durable goods ............................................. . Lumber and wood products ................................. . Stone, clay and glass products .............................. . Other durable goods ....................................... . Nondurable goods .......................................... . Food and kindred products ................................. . Textile mill products ........................................ . Apparel and other finished textiies ............................ . Printing and publishing ..................................... . Other nondurable goods .................................... . Service producing industries .................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ... . Who!esaie and retail trade ..................................... . Wholesale trade ............................................ . Retail trade ................................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .............................. . Services ................................................... . Government ................................................ . Federal ................................................... . State and local ............................................. . 
 
193.5 53.2 
.4 
11.1 41.7 11.2 
1.2 3.0 7.0 30.5 2.4 6.2 2.6 1.6 17.7 140.3 6.7 41.9 4.9 37.0 6.1 45.9 39.7 7.1 32.6 
 
193.6 53.2 
.4 
10.8 42.0 11.3 
1.2 3.0 7.1 30.7 2.4 6.2 2.6 1.7 17.8 140.4 6.7 41.9 4.9 37.0 6.1 45.9 39.8 7.2 32.6 
 
- 
 
,- 
 
- - --,i""!-, 
 
. 
,,, 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-: 
~ _::.. 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
190.8 52.7 .4 
11.2 41.1 11.0 
1.2 2.9 6.9 30.1 2.1 6.3 2.9 1.6 17.2 138.1 6.3 41.1 4.8 36.3 6.0 44.9 39.8 7.4 32.4 
 
-.1 
 
+2.7 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.3 
 
+.6 
 
-.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.5 
 
-.1 
 
+2.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.7 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+1.0 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
COLU-MBUS - 
 
NONAGRICULTURALEMPLOYMENT(OOO'S) 
 
. 
 
- 
 
-"( 
 
...... 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment .................................. . Goods producing industries ..................................... . Construction and mining ....................................... . Manufacturing ............................................... . Durable goods ............................................. . Nondurable goods .......................................... . Food and kindred products ................................. . Textile mill products ........................................ . Printing and publishing ..................................... . Other nondurable goods .................................... . Service producing industries .................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ... . Wholesale and retail trade ..................................... . Wholesale trade ............................................ . Retail trade ................................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .............................. . Services ................................................... . Government ................................................ . Federal ................................................... . State and local ............................................. . 
 
116.1 27.2 
5.4 21.8 
9.7 12.1 3.1 5.5 1.3 2.2 88.9 4.2 26.0 3.8 22.2 8.2 30.0 20.5 5.3 15.2 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
115.9 26.9 
5.3 21.6 
9.5 12.1 3.1 5.5 
1.3 2.2 89.0 4.2 26.2 3.9 22.3 8.1 29.9 20.6 5.4 15.2 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
113.5 27.0 
5.2 21.8 
9.0 12.8 3.3 5.9 1.3 2.3 86.5 4.0 25.3 3.8 21.5 7.9 28.7 20.6 5.4 15.2 
 
. 
 
. ' 
 
. 
 
. 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+.2 
 
+2.6 
 
+.3 
 
+.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.7 
 
+.O 
 
-.7 
 
+.O 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+2.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
+.7 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.7 
 
+.1 
 
+.3 
 
+.1 
 
+1.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Chattahoochee, Harris and Muscogee counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 8 
 
 rm~GON -~ON.AG_RICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
- ~~- 
 
~ 
 
_....,__ 
 
-- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . GoC?d.s producing industries ......................................... . Mining ......................................................... . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ...................................... . Textile mill products ............................................ . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
150.6 28.2 
1.3 6.5 20.4 9.5 10.9 2.8 1.4 1.5 5.2 122.4 5.3 34.1 5.1 29.0 8.9 40.8 33.3 12.9 20.4 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
150.2 28.2 1.3 6.5 20.4 9.5 10.9 2.8 1.4 1.5 5.2 
122.0 5.3 
34.2 5.1 
29.1 8.9 
40.4 33.2 12.7 20.5 
 
. 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
146.0 27.4 1.1 6.2 20.1 9.1 11.0 2.9 1.5 1.5 5.1 
118.6 5.3 
33.8 4.9 28.9 8.2 38.2 33.1 13.1 
20.0 
 
- 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+.4 
 
+4.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.4 
 
+3.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.7 
 
+.4 
 
+2.6 
 
+.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.4 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bibb, Houston, Jones, Peach and Twiggs counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
SAVANNAH NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . 
Goods producing industries ......................................... . Construction and mining ........................................... . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Lumber and wood products ..................................... . Transportation equipment ....................................... . Other durable goods ........................................... . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Petroleum and coal products .................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . 
Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade .................... : ........................... . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
133.0 25.7 
7.4 18.3 8.5 
.9 5.7 1.9 9.8 1.9 5.0 1.6 
.3 1.0 107.3 9.4 33.4 5.4 28.0 4.4 39.2 20.9 2.8 18.1 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
133.1 25.8 
7.6 18.2 
8.5 .9 
5.7 1.9 9.7 1.8 5.0 1.6 .3 1.0 107.3 9.6 33.8 5.3 28.5 4.4 38.7 20.8 2.8 18.0 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
129.3 24.2 
7.0 17.2 7.9 
.9 5.2 1.8 9.3 1.8 4.8 1.4 
.3 1.0 105.1 9.4 32.2 5.3 26.9 4.4 38.0 21.1 3.1 18.0 
 
-.1 
 
+3.7 
 
-.1 
 
+1.5 
 
-.2 
 
+.4 
 
+.1 
 
+1.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+2.2 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.4 
 
+1.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
-.5 
 
+1.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+1.2 
 
+.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
9 
 
 LABOR FORCE.TRENDS 
 
Unemployment edges up 
 
Unemployment rates - Georgia and U.S. 
 
Georgia's unemployment rate rose by 
 
three-tenths of a percentage point in Febru- 
 
ary to 4.1 percent. Despite the increase, this 
 
was the lowest unemployment rate for the month of February in 25 years. February's 
 
6.0% 
 
increase was expected as the statewide un- 
 
employment rate has increased from Janu- 
 
0 
 
ary to February for 20 of the last 21 years. Prior to the increase in February, Georgia's 
 
5.0o/o 
 
jobless rate had remained unchanged at 3.8 
 
percent for the last two months. One year 
 
ago, the jobless rate was 4.8 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate, not season- 
 
4.0o/o 
 
ally adjusted, declined from 5.2 percent in 
 
January to 5.0 percent in February. With the exception of October 1997, Georgia's unemployment rate has remained at or below the national rate since October 1990. 
Total civilian employment grew by more 
 
* Georgia -o-- U.S. 
3.0o/o-r~-.~--,~~..----'-.--~-.-~--,-~~~~.-L~~~~~~~-l 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb 
 
97 
 
I 98 
 
than 28,000 in February. Following a onemonth seasonal decline, nonagricultural employment resumed its growth in February. This, along with an increase in agricultural employment, fueled the growth in total civilian employment. 
 
The number of persons receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the reference week was virtually unchanged over the month; however, the total number of unemployed persons rose by more than 16,000 
 
in February due to increases in the number of new and re-entrants into the labor force. Georgia's low unemployment rate and strong job growth have motivated more people (who had not been actively in the labor market) to begin seeking employment. 
 
Southeastern unemployment rates 
 
Area data 
 
Ill February 1998 51 January i 998 
6% 5% " " ." " " " 4% 
 
The unemployment situation in six of Georgia's seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) followed the statewide trend with higher levels of unemployment. All metro areas except Augusta-Aiken had higher unemployment rates. Albany, at 6.6 percent, had the highest metro rate and Athens, at 2.9 percent, had the lowest rate. 
Across the state, 115 Georgia counties had higher jobless rates while 37 counties had lower rates and seven counties did not change. Hancock County, at 18.6 percent, had the highest jobless rate and Oconee County, at 1.9 percent, had the lowest rate at the county level. 
 
3% 
2% 
AL 
10 
 
FL GA KY MS NC SC TN 
 
Most southeastern states recorded lower unemployment rates in February. Georgia was the only state with a higher rate over the month, but despite the increase, Georgia still had the second lowest rate in the region. South Carolina had the lowest unemployment rate in February and Mississippi had the highest. 
 
 GEORGIA LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES 
 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
. 
 
AREA Georgia (Not seasonally adjusted) Albany MSA 
Athens MSA 
Atlanta MSA 
Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC MSA 
Columbus, GA-AL MSA 
Macon MSA 
Savannah MSA 
 
EMPLOYMENT STAlUS 
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 FEB1998 
3,924,742 3,762,609 
162,133 4.1 
57,199 53,416 
3,783 6.6 
74,113 71,946 2,167 
2.9 
2,075,543 2,009,257 
66,286 3.2 
201,931 190,930 
11,001 5.4 
121,762 116,651 
5, 111 4.2 
153,974 146,131 
7,843 5.1 
132,945 127,575 
5,370 4.0 
 
REVISED JAN1998 
3,879,736 3,733,947 
145,789 3.8 
56,739 53,296 
3,443 6.1 
72,901 70,867 
2,034 2.8 
2,054,720 1,993,763 
60,957 3.0 
201,036 190,160 
10,876 5.4 
121,295 116,363 
4,932 4.1 
151,907 145,460 
6,447 4.2 
132,360 127,364 
4,996 3.8 
 
REVISED FEB1997 
3,849,114 3,663,088 
186,026 4.8 
56,666 53,142 
3,524 6.2 
72,118 69,847 2,271 
3.1 
2,023,401 1,944,717 
78,684 3.9 
203,149 189,570 
13,579 6.7 
120,777 115,100 
5,677 4.7 
149,908 143,090 
6,818 4.5 
132, 125 125,227 
6,898 5.2 
 
CHANGE FROM 
 
REVISED JAN1998 
 
REVISED FEB1997 
 
45,006 28,662 16,344 
 
75,628 99,521 -23,893 
 
460 
 
533 
 
120 
 
274 
 
340 
 
259 
 
1,212 1,079 
133 
 
1,995 2,099 -104 
 
20,823 15,494 5,329 
 
52,142 64,540 -12,398 
 
895 
 
-1,218 
 
770 
 
1,360 
 
125 
 
-2,578 
 
467 
 
985 
 
288 
 
1,551 
 
179 
 
-566 
 
2,067 671 
1,396 
 
4,066 3,041 1,025 
 
585 
 
820 
 
211 
 
2,348 
 
374 
 
-1,528 
 
UNITED STATES LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
United States (Seasonally adjusted) 
United States (Not seasonally adjusted) 
 
EMPLOYMENT STAlUS 
Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 
Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 
 
FEB1998 
137,557,000 131, 163,000 
6,393,000 4.6 
136,286,000 129,482,000 
6,804,000 5.0 
 
JAN1998 
137,493,000 131,083,000 
6,409,000 4.7 
135,951,000 128,882,000 
7,069,000 5.2 
 
FEB1997 
135,689,000 128,515,000 
7,174,000 5.3 
134,535,000 126,887,000 
7,647,000 5.7 
 
CHANGE FROM 
 
JAN1998 
 
FEB1997 
 
64,000 80,000 -16,000 
 
1,868,000 2,648,000 -781,000 
 
335,000 600,000 -265,000 
 
1,751,000 2,595,000 -843,000 
 
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 Market Information 
 
11 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES(NO~SEAS~NALLYADJUSTED),:, ,i'. .,;.,-: 
 
PLACEOFRESIDENCE-PERSQ-iS16YEARSOLDANDOVER  
 
0 
  
 
... 
 
 
 
. -. '" _ 
."'. : 
 
I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
LABOR FORCE 
 
EMPLOYMENT 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
LABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTLABOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT 
 
NUMBER RATE 
 
Georgia 
 
3,924,742 3,762,609 162,133 4.1 3,879,736 3,733,947 145,789 3.8 3,849,114 3,663,088 186,026 4.8 
 
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 
 
8,612 3,400 4,662 1,545 18,378 
6,043 19,515 36,553 8,868 
7,002 
75,990 5,375 5,610 7,581 10,167 
26,296 8,440 8,530 2,252 15,933 
4,166 42,814 24,358 3,894 106,791 
2,261 11,941 71,351 47,767 
1,644 
119,858 4,080 
335,282 18,027 18,981 
41,001 7,589 
40,156 5,087 9,793 
6,837 10,730 12,205 360,657 9,362 
4,645 46,338 49,170 4,976 
1,094 
 
7,747 3,102 4,217 1,417 16,672 
 
865 10.0 298 8.8 445 9.5 128 8.3 1,706 9.3 
 
5,777 18,731 34,815 
8,393 6,722 
 
266 4.4 784 4.0 1,738 4.8 475 5.4 280 4.0 
 
71,605 5,125 5,237 6,944 9,870 
 
4,385 5.8 250 4.7 373 6.6 637 8.4 297 2.9 
 
25,386 7,388 8,117 2,111 15,290 
 
910 3.5 1,052 12.5 
413 4.8 141 6.3 643 4.0 
 
3,958 40,719 23,645 3,706 102,196 
 
208 5.0 2,095 4.9 
713 2.9 188 4.8 4,595 4.3 
 
2,101 11,483 69,688 46,334 
1,519 
 
160 7.1 458 3.8 1,663 2.3 1,433 3.0 125 7.6 
 
115,578 3,926 
326,700 16,965 18,177 
 
4,280 3.6 154 3.8 
8,582 2.6 1,062 5.9 
804 4.2 
 
39,576 7,219 
38,951 4,847 9,228 
 
1,425 3.5 370 4.9 
1,205 3.0 240 4.7 565 5.8 
 
6,619 
 
218 3.2 
 
10,488 
 
242 2.3 
 
11,662 
 
543 4.4 
 
347,313 13,344 3.7 
 
8,688 
 
674 7.2 
 
4,331 43,069 47,682 
4,657 1,070 
 
314 6.8 3,269 7.1 1,488 3.0 
319 6.4 24 2.2 
 
8,425 3,343 4,754 1,485 17,281 
5,929 19,326 36,188 8,733 
6,880 
74,888 5,309 5,575 7,440 10,103 
25,973 8,288 8,325 2,192 15,781 
4,049 42,430 24,602 
3,851 106,356 
2,253 11,926 70,710 47,001 
1,596 
118,485 3,984 
331,934 17,809 18,702 
40,838 7,435 
39,804 4,981 9,631 
6,920 10,717 12,003 356,755 
9,035 
4,518 45,953 48,690 
4,872 1,084 
 
7,659 3,044 4,164 1,366 16,582 
 
766 9.1 299 8.9 590 12.4 119 8.0 699 4.0 
 
5,701 18,587 34,546 
8,280 6,600 
 
228 3.8 739 3.8 1,642 4.5 453 5.2 280 4.1 
 
71,276 5,070 5,196 6,879 9,854 
 
3,612 4.8 239 4.5 379 6.8 561 7.5 249 2.5 
 
25,174 7,295 8,062 2,050 
15, 186 
 
799 3.1 993 12.0 263 3.2 142 6.5 595 3.8 
 
3,888 40,405 23,588 
3,680 102,027 
 
161 4.0 2,025 4.8 1,014 4.1 
171 4.4 4,329 4.1 
 
2,094 11,412 69,151 45,639 
1,485 
 
159 7.1 514 4.3 1,559 2.2 1,362 2.9 111 7.0 
 
114,687 3,880 
324,181 16,718 17,886 
 
3,798 3.2 104 2.6 
7,753 2.3 1,091 6.1 
816 4.4 
 
39,514 7,115 
38,650 4,791 9,085 
 
1,324 3.2 320 4.3 
1,154 2.9 190 3.8 546 5.7 
 
6,604 10,435 11,505 344,634 8,606 
 
316 4.6 282 2.6 498 4.1 12,121 3.4 429 4.7 
 
4,263 42,972 47,314 
4,559 1,060 
 
255 5.6 2,981 6.5 1,376 2.8 
313 6.4 24 2.2 
 
8,328 3,358 4,485 1,538 17,183 
6,035 19,015 35,783 8,698 
6,850 
73,793 5,274 5,561 7,519 10,130 
25,345 8,447 8,401 2,240 15,755 
4,041 41,500 24,881 
3,850 106, 114 
2,221 11,930 69,391 46,315 
1,664 
117,147 3,963 
326,456 17,537 18,768 
41,169 7,556 
39,087 4,925 9,544 
6,919 10,568 11,836 352,629 9,204 
4,662 45,913 47,658 5,000 
1,077 
 
7,619 2,980 4,131 1,391 16,397 
 
709 8.5 37811.3 354 7.9 147 9.6 786 4.6 
 
5,619 18,129 33,696 
8,122 6,456 
 
416 6.9 886 4.7 2,087 5.8 576 6.6 394 5.8 
 
70,115 5,013 5,129 6,765 9,688 
 
3,678 5.0 261 4.9 432 7.8 75410.0 442 4.4 
 
24,559 7,176 7,956 2,067 
14,938 
 
786 3.1 1,27115.0 
445 5.3 173 7.7 817 5.2 
 
3,865 39,411 23,593 
3,620 100,316 
 
176 4.4 2,089 5.0 1,288 5.2 
230 6.0 5,798 5.5 
 
2,073 11,400 67,450 44,982 
1,480 
 
148 6.7 530 4.4 1,941 2.8 1,333 2.9 18411.1 
 
111,865 3,790 
316,206 16,463 17,649 
 
5,282 4.5 173 4.4 
10,250 3.1 1,074 6.1 1,119 6.0 
 
39,369 7,047 
37,700 4,650 8,975 
 
1,800 4.4 509 6.7 
1,387 3.5 275 5.6 569 6.0 
 
6,605 10,323 11,244 336,156 8,562 
 
314 4.5 245 2.3 592 5.0 16,473 4.7 642 7.0 
 
4,212 42,848 46,150 
4,518 1,042 
 
450 9.7 3,065 6.7 1,508 3.2 
482 9.6 35 3.2 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16 YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin 
Fayette Floyd Forsyth 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 
 
I I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
LABOR FORCE 
 
EMPLOYMENT 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
LABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTLASOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT 
 
NUMBER RATE 
 
15,986 9,142 8,593 4,844 8,480 
 
15,508 8,381 7,914 4,671 8,019 
 
478 3.0 761 8.3 679 7.9 173 3.6 461 5.4 
 
15,901 9,018 8,371 4,761 8,450 
 
15,483 8,292 7,835 4,612 7,971 
 
418 2.6 726 8.1 536 6.4 149 3.1 479 5.7 
 
15,881 8,938 8,815 4,759 8,454 
 
15,223 8,144 7,898 4,546 7,846 
 
658 4.1 794 8.9 91710.4 213 4.5 608 7.2 
 
45,811 45,948 39,915 10,041 395,099 
 
44,815 
 
996 2.2 
 
44,047 1,901 4.1 
 
39,133 
 
782 2.0 
 
9,674 
 
367 3.7 
 
380,211 14,888 3.8 
 
45,319 45,507 39,666 
9,927 391,239 
 
44,469 
 
850 1.9 
 
43,805 1,702 3.7 
 
38,831 
 
835 2.1 
 
9,571 
 
356 3.6 
 
377,279 13,960 3.6 
 
44,428 45,554 38,759 10,142 387,061 
 
43,375 43,270 37,876 
9,500 367,998 
 
1,053 2.4 2,284 5.0 
883 2.3 642 6.3 19,063 4.9 
 
8,428 1,159 34,608 21,339 9,427 
 
7,869 1,007 33,471 20,540 8,871 
 
559 6.6 152 13.1 1,137 3.3 799 3.7 556 5.9 
 
8,300 1,135 34,415 21, 110 9,196 
 
7,795 997 
33,298 20,373 
8,698 
 
505 6.1 138 12.2 1,117 3.2 737 3.5 498 5.4 
 
8,212 1,195 33,943 21,525 10,122 
 
7,660 998 
32,533 20,062 
8,981 
 
552 6.7 19716.5 1,410 4.2 1,463 6.8 1,14111.3 
 
5,671 302,626 
14,974 67,603 
4,233 
 
5,346 295,481 
14,471 65,564 3,445 
 
325 5.7 7,145 2.4 
503 3.4 2,039 3.0 
788 18.6 
 
5,595 299,753 
14,798 66,979 
3,708 
 
5,289 293,202 
14,312 65,168 
3,412 
 
306 5.5 6,551 2.2 
486 3.3 1,811 2.7 
296 8.0 
 
5,547 293,851 
15,080 66,174 
3,850 
 
5,174 285,990 
14,088 63,935 
3,370 
 
373 6.7 7,861 2.7 
992 6.6 2,239 3.4 
48012.5 
 
9,289 10,902 
8,452 3,831 51,572 
 
8,679 10,645 
8,114 3,631 50,120 
 
610 6.6 257 2.4 338 4.0 200 5.2 1,452 2.8 
 
9,303 10,897 8,386 3,809 50,936 
 
8,625 10,610 
8,028 3,605 49,733 
 
678 7.3 287 2.6 358 4.3 204 5.4 1,203 2.4 
 
9,225 10,914 
8,416 3,791 49,837 
 
8,559 10,500 
7,910 3,562 48,510 
 
666 7.2 414 3.8 506 6.0 229 6.0 1,327 2.7 
 
50,695 4,592 
21,486 4,934 5,766 
 
48,715 4,370 
20,695 4,769 5,343 
 
1,980 3.9 222 4.8 791 3.7 165 3.3 423 7.3 
 
50,199 4,497 
21,221 4,912 5,633 
 
48,491 4,312 
20,495 4,729 5,277 
 
1,708 3.4 185 4.1 726 3.4 183 3.7 356 6.3 
 
49,663 4,533 
21,029 4,906 5,514 
 
47,701 4,229 
20,192 4,597 5,149 
 
1,962 4.0 304 6.7 837 4.0 309 6.3 365 6.6 
 
8,179 4,641 4,138 12,140 7,450 
 
7,002 4,425 3,488 11,473 7,168 
 
1,177 14.4 216 4.7 650 15.7 667 5.5 282 3.8 
 
7,598 4,577 3,864 11,830 7,374 
 
6,918 4,359 3,451 11,420 7,120 
 
680 8.9 218 4.8 413 10.7 410 3.5 254 3.4 
 
8,064 4,493 3,668 11,650 7,462 
 
6,939 4,266 3,428 11,234 7,187 
 
1,12514.0 227 5.1 240 6.5 416 3.6 275 3.7 
 
3,229 24,758 10,861 17,341 
3,633 
 
3,127 21,380 10,347 16,194 
3,433 
 
102 3.2 3,378 13.6 
514 4.7 1,147 6.6 
200 5.5 
 
3,163 22,363 10,786 17,212 3,647 
 
3,098 21,204 10,324 16,096 
3,405 
 
65 2.1 1,159 5.2 
462 4.3 1,116 6.5 
242 6.6 
 
3,172 21,807 10,753 17,254 
3,614 
 
3,047 20,901 10,294 15,875 
3,382 
 
125 3.9 906 4.2 459 4.3 1,379 8.0 232 6.4 
 
3,498 40,700 
9,548 9,369 4,344 
 
3,380 39,133 
9,255 8,798 4,158 
 
118 3.4 1,567 3.9 
293 3.1 571 6.1 186 4.3 
 
3,484 40,182 
9,480 9,475 4,286 
 
3,360 38,765 
9,188 8,784 4,118 
 
124 3.6 1,417 3.5 
292 3.1 691 7.3 168 3.9 
 
3,477 39,774 
9,393 9,848 4,265 
 
3,313 38,126 
9,145 8,752 3,969 
 
164 4.7 1,648 4.1 
248 2.6 1,09611.1 
296 6.9 
 
5,634 13,581 
3,451 9,034 3,050 
 
5,086 13,085 3,286 
8,661 2,936 
 
548 9.7 496 3.7 165 4.8 373 4.1 114 3.7 
 
5,489 13,344 3,399 9,030 2,973 
 
4,982 12,889 
3,245 8,603 2,873 
 
507 9.2 455 3.4 154 4.5 427 4.7 100 3.4 
 
5,723 13,367 3,279 8,943 3,018 
 
4,947 12,703 
3,127 8,519 2,839 
 
77613.6 664 5.0 152 4.6 424 4.7 179 5.9 
 
11, 122 7,858 3,837 7,137 
18,092 
 
10,214 7,280 3,532 6,863 
17,195 
 
908 8.2 578 7.4 305 7.9 274 3.8 897 5.0 
 
10,883 7,753 3,747 6,999 
17,927 
 
10,029 7,234 3,493 6,762 
17, 111 
 
854 7.8 519 6.7 254 6.8 237 3.4 816 4.6 
 
11,338 7,369 3,753 7,094 18,287 
 
10,027 7,001 3,418 6,692 
17,037 
 
1,31111.6 368 5.0 335 8.9 402 5.7 
1,250 6.8 
13 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES(NOTSEASONALLYADJUSTED) 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16_YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
- .- 
_-_-_ :; 
 
I I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
IABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
IABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTIABOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding 
 
83,005 27,234 12,765 
5,242 35,011 
 
79,240 25,917 12,527 
5,021 34,241 
 
3,765 4.5 1,317 4.8 
238 1.9 221 4.2 770 2.2 
 
Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk 
 
10,891 9,449 7,437 6,195 15,425 
 
10,352 9,145 7,059 5,963 14,648 
 
539 4.9 304 3.2 378 5.1 232 3.7 777 5.0 
 
Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph 
 
4,416 8,798 1,283 6,998 3,518 
 
4,203 8,460 1,224 6,742 3,127 
 
213 4.8 338 3.8 
59 4.6 256 3.7 391 11.1 
 
Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole 
 
80,786 37,925 
1,791 6,198 4,619 
 
75,360 36,780 
1,700 5,660 4,419 
 
5,426 6.7 1,145 3.0 
91 5.1 538 8.7 200 4.3 
 
Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot 
 
29,909 12,989 2,583 15,643 2,567 
 
28,436 12,366 
2,402 14,384 2,458 
 
1,473 4.9 623 4.8 181 7.0 
1,259 8.0 109 4.2 
 
Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell 
 
648 7,331 3,486 5,034 4,116 
 
603 6,942 3,273 4,736 3,647 
 
45 6.9 389 5.3 213 6.1 298 5.9 469 11.4 
 
Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen 
 
21,073 20,547 12,566 
3,473 2,937 
 
20,272 19,418 11,596 3,223 2,645 
 
801 3.8 1,129 5.p 
970 7.7 250 7.2 292 9.9 
 
Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson 
 
28,646 4,538 4,258 6,970 12,931 
 
27,275 4,085 3,986 6,672 
12,534 
 
1,371 4.8 453 10.0 272 6.4 298 4.3 397 3.1 
 
Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington 
 
30,370 25,638 15,729 
2,741 10,231 
 
28,602 24,803 15,077 
2,501 9,222 
 
1,768 5.8 835 3.3 652 4.1 240 8.8 
1,009 9.9 
 
Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield 
 
11,071 1, 151 2,182 9,378 
46,486 
 
10,230 1,100 1,964 9,027 
44,881 
 
841 7.6 51 4.4 
218 10.0 351 3.7 1,605 3.5 
 
Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth 
 
3,395 5,734 4,646 9,083 
 
3,159 5,372 4,281 8,471 
 
236 7.0 362 6.3 365 7.9 612 6.7 
 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
14 
 
82,556 26,919 12,556 
5,186 34,801 
10,813 9,378 7,334 6,114 
15,298 
4,328 8,641 1,259 6,917 3,395 
80,279 37,641 
1,766 6,067 4,503 
29,342 12,946 2,517 15,453 2,548 
636 7,112 3,400 4,949 4,083 
20,826 20,085 12,454 
3,473 2,827 
28,457 4,481 4,176 6,968 12,818 
29,958 25,406 15,608 
2,716 9,956 
10,912 1,133 2,066 9,234 
46,176 
3,378 5,601 4,488 8,858 
 
78,976 25,718 12,339 4,961 33,977 
 
3,580 4.3 1,201 4.5 
217 1.7 225 4.3 824 2.4 
 
10,304 9,075 6,952 5,922 14,575 
 
509 4.7 303 3.2 382 5.2 192 3.1 723 4.7 
 
4,150 8,383 1,212 6,701 3,082 
 
178 4.1 258 3.0 
47 3.7 216 3.1 313 9.2 
 
75,243 36,496 
1,685 5,581 4,325 
 
5,036 6.3 1,145 3.0 
81 4.6 486 8.0 178 4.0 
 
28,217 12,285 2,375 14,232 2,437 
 
1,125 3.8 661 5.1 142 5.6 
1,221 7.9 111 4.4 
 
591 6,780 3,225 4,671 3,580 
 
45 7.1 332 4.7 175 5.1 278 5.6 503 12.3 
 
20,060 19,158 11,468 3,198 2,616 
 
766 3.7 927 4.6 986 7.9 275 7.9 211 7.5 
 
27,117 4,007 3,968 6,586 12,455 
 
1,340 4.7 474 10.6 208 5.0 382 5.5 363 2.8 
 
28,533 24,612 14,968 
2,474 9,133 
 
1,425 4.8 794 3.1 640 4.1 242 8.9 823 8.3 
 
10,149 1,078 1,936 8,947 
44,614 
 
763 7.0 55 4.9 130 6.3 
287 3.1 1,562 3.4 
 
3,110 5,324 4,251 8,310 
 
268 7.9 277 4.9 237 5.3 548 6.2 
 
82,192 26,228 12,435 
5,140 34,146 
10,736 9,237 7,404 6,000 15,473 
4,319 8,815 1,272 6,864 3,441 
81,033 36,690 
1,778 6,439 4,566 
28,996 12,859 2,547 15,333 2,599 
638 7,233 3,480 4,918 4,007 
20,877 20,713 12,547 
3,610 2,762 
28,153 4,468 4,065 6,957 12,810 
30,454 25,503 15,576 
2,759 9,509 
10,845 1,121 2,143 9,328 
46,710 
3,564 5,645 4,459 9,470 
 
78,154 25,085 12, 161 4,881 33, 141 
10,136 8,851 6,956 5,787 14,452 
4,098 8,282 1,189 6,549 3,047 
74,966 35,598 
1,650 5,613 4,331 
27,523 11,990 2,363 14,035 2,410 
582 6,825 3,184 4,558 3,570 
19,877 18,906 11,219 
3,120 2,559 
26,532 3,962 3,903 6,448 
12,210 
28,540 24,006 14,720 
2,452 8,979 
9,907 1,057 1,890 8,854 44,194 
3,072 5,256 4,222 8,180 
 
4,038 4.9 1,143 4.4 
274 2.2 259 5.0 1,005 2.9 
600 5.6 386 4.2 448 6.1 213 3.6 1,021 6.6 
221 5.1 533 6.0 
83 6.5 315 4.6 39411.5 
6,067 7.5 1,092 3.0 
128 7.2 82612.8 235 5.1 
1,473 5.1 869 6.8 184 7.2 
1,298 8.5 189 7.3 
56 8.8 408 5.6 296 8.5 360 7.3 43710.9 
1,000 4.8 1,807 8.7 1,32810.6 
49013.6 203 7.3 
1,621 5.8 50611.3 162 4.0 509 7.3 600 4.7 
1,914 6.3 1,497 5.9 
856 5.5 30711.1 530 5.6 
938 8.6 64 5.7 
25311.8 474 5.1 2,516 5.4 
49213.8 389 6.9 237 5.3 1,29013.6 
 
 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE STATISTICS 
 
Weekly unemployment insurance initial claims 
 
Weekly unemployment insurance claims* 
 
 
 
through February28, 1998 
 
through February 28, 1998 
 
35~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
100~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------. 
 
-1997 !Sl1998 
 
-1997 i;s:i 1998 
 
30 80 
 
25 
 
80 
 
40 
 
20 
 
Jan Feb Mar 
 
Apr May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug Sep Oct Nov 
 
Dec 
 
Week ending 02/28/98: 5,259 (Initial Claims) 
 
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug Sep Oct 
 
Nov Dec 
 
Week ending 02/28/98: 35,013 *These figures reflect continued weeks claimed and not individuals. 
 
Seasonal layoffs end ... 
 
 The seasonal drop in initial claims from January to February occurs every year as short-term scheduled layoffs end. This event has little to do with the health ofthe economy. After the holiday season, the demand for manufactured goods and extra retail help decreases causing new claims to rise substantially.By February the scheduled manufacturing layoffs are over and many part-time workers have found other employment resulting in a large drop in initial claims activity. This year, new claims dropped 46.9 percent; but in comparison to last February, new claims were up 3.7 percent. (See graph at bottom ofpage). 
 
benefits forthe twelve-month period ending February 1998 declined to 9.2 weeks, its lowest level since March 1996. 
 In February, first payments declined almost 50 percent, dropping from 32,554 to 17,270; while over 7,600 beneficiaries exhausted their benefits. During calendar year 1997, first payments ranged from a high of 39,338 in January to a low of 10,507 in November with a monthly average of 15,026. Likewise, final payments (exhaustees) for calendar year 1997 ranged from a high of 5,232inJuly to a lowof3,163 in October with an averageof3,957. 
 
 Over 29,000 fewer beneficiaries received UI payments in February than January with an average weekly benefit amount of $158.32, over $6.00 more than last month. The January average weekly benefit amount was lower since seasonal workers tend to qualify for lower-than-average benefits. The average duration of 
 
 Over $3 million less in benefits were paid in February compared to last year; while the month-to-month decline was $4.8 million, or 18.6 percent. Weeks paid for the same time periods dropped 14.4 percent and 21.9 percent, respectively. The average monthly amount paid in benefits during the last twelve months was $21.2 million. 
 
Decrease in new claims filed from January to February 
 
100,000 
 
~January DFebruary 
 
80,000 
 
60,000 
 
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 
 
Years 
 
15 
 
 STATE OF GEORGIA - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LABOR MARKET INFORMATION 
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1751 
OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE - $300 
 
 - \:Tr\ 
LLOO.t4b 
Pl T7 
2A{l 
 
FEBRUARY 1998 DATA 
 
Growth Diversifies 
 
VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 2 
 
T he state added 18,200 jobs in February, mostly in the services division. Government and construction also gained, while employment in manu- 
 
The construction division gained 1,900 jobs, almost all in special trades. An unusually warm February may have contributed to an increase in minor repairs and remodeling. Work on major projects 
 
facturing and trade fell. Over the year, the will be postponed until spring. For the 
 
state's payrolls have grown by 134,600, year, the division's employment has risen 
 
with services again adding the most jobs. by 13,400, with the proportion of jobs in 
 
Employment in every industry division has general building construction and special 
 
increased significantly, however, providing contracting staying virtually equal. Road 
 
considerable diversity to the state's growth. and sewer construction has also increased 
 
The mining division gained 100 jobs substantially over the year. This sector 
 
in February, recouping its loss from the once was thought to be vulnerable to a 
 
previous month. The division has added 500 cut-off of federal transportation funds due 
 
jobs over the last year, a notable increase to ongoing violations of the Clean Air Act 
 
for this industry. Mining in Georgia cen- in the Atlanta metro area. Now it seems 
 
ters on kaolin, which is used in paper pro- that growth will merely shift to more dis- 
 
cessing, and the demand for paper has tant counties, increasing both traffic and 
 
risen. 
 
Continued on page 2 
 
HIGHLIGHTS 
,/ All metro areas gain employment over the year 
,/ Metro areas grow at 3.9% over the year; non-metro, 3. 7% 
,/ Georgia's unemployment rate edges up to 4.1% 
,/ Georgia's unemployment rate remains below the U.S. rate 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Marti Fullerton, Commissioner 
 
148 INrERNATIONAL BLVD., N.E. + ATI.ANI'A. GEORGIA 30303-1751 + 404-656-3177 
 
 GEORGIA LABOR MARKET TRENDS 
 
- 
 
Growth diversifies 
 
Continued from page 1 
congestion. Employment in the manufacturing 
division dropped by 900 in February, as a broad-based but moderate increase in durable goods was wiped out by yet another loss in nondurable goods. Employment in textile manufacturing fell by 1,600, almost completely due to a temporary shutdown at a single large mill. Losses in apparel employment moderated slightly, while the other nondurable sectors experienced little or no change. For the year, the division has gained 1,900 jobs, with a loss of 6,600 in nondurable goods manufacturing partially offsetting a gain of 8,500 in durables. The nondurable losses are concentrated in textiles and apparel, with the latter suffering another doubledigit percentage decline. Paper and allied products have added 900 jobs over the year, while chemicals have gained 500. The durable goods sector leading in annual employment growth is transportation equipment, with strong increases in both aircraft and motor vehicles; however, every sector of durable goods manufacturing except lumber and wood products and instruments has experienced solid growth over the year. 
The transportation, communications and public utilities division added 900 jobs due to the continuing strength of the transportation sector, as both communications and utilities were virtually unchanged. The growth in transportation was centered once again in trucking and warehousing and transportation by air; other transportation, which includes the volatile water transportation sector, was down slightly for the month. Over the year, the division has gained 11,200 jobs, 8,200 of them in transportation. Trucking and warehousing and transportation by air have both increased at about 6 percent annually, compared to the division's growth rate of 5 percent. Telephone communications have a 2 percent annual growth rate, while non-telephone communications have expanded at over 10 per- 
 
cent annually due to rapid growth in cable and satellite television. 
The trade division experienced a seasonal February decline of 2,800 jobs. Retail trade employment fell 4,300, driven by a 5,900 loss in general department stores. Apparel and home furnishings stores also lost jobs; the other retail sectors were up only slightly except for eating and drinking establishments, which gained 2,700 jobs. Wholesale trade of durable goods continued to perform strongly, adding 1,200 jobs. Over the year, the division's employment has increased by 31,200, 18,800 in retail and 12,400 in wholesale. The gain in wholesale employment has been sparked by the trade of durable goods, which has expanded at an almost 7 percent rate since last February. Retail trade employment continues to grow at a rate below that of most other divisions, held back by modest growth in eating and drinking establishments, almost no growth in general merchandise stores and a loss in apparel stores. 
Activity in the finance, insurance and real estate division was subdued in February, as very few of its component sectors showed much change. Finance was flat, with growth in non-depository institutions and brokers and other securities dealers offset by a loss in depository institutions. Insurance rose only slightly, while real estate was unchanged. For the year, the division has gained 8,600 jobs, with both finance and real estate growing at close to 6 percent and insurance trailing at 2.5 percent. Within finance, most of the new jobs have been in non-depository institutions and securities dealers; these two industries combined are growing at a rate of over 9 percent annually. 
The services division contributed 15,200 jobs or well over 80 percent of February's total employment rise, with almost all of its component sectors gaining jobs. The sector leading in growth for the month was personnel supply services, 
 
rebounding strongly from its decline in January. Other sectors with large monthly gains were miscellaneous business services, primarily guard and security services; amusement and recreation services, a seasonal rise; engineering, accounting, research and management services; and personal services. Both of the latter increases are related to income tax preparation. The division has added 55,500 jobs during the last year, over 40 percent of the statewide total. The sector with the largest over-the-year gain is personnel supply services, as the trend of using temporary workers shows no signs of abating. All other components of the business services sector have also grown strongly over the last year, as have engineering and the other professional services; social services, which includes job training, day care, and residential care; parking and other automobile services; and hotels and other lodging places. 
Employment in the government division rose by 3,700 in February, with increases at all three levels. The federal government gained 1,100 jobs, about half in a defense-related buildup associated with activities in the Persian Gulf and most of the remainder at the Treasury Department as it began to process income tax returns. State government added 2, 100 jobs, over 85 percent in education. Local education fe11 slightly, but other local government rose enough to offset the loss. Over the year, public sector employment has risen by 12,300. Employment at the federal level has decreased everywhere except the Postal Service. State government outside of education is also down due to new technologies and continued privatization. Local government has increased its employment by 3 percent over the last year, about a percentage point faster than the latest estimates of population growth. The school-age population may be increasing slightly faster than the population as a whole. 
 
Produced by the Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics 
2 
 
 i' 
 
:; 
 
~ INDUSTRV~T'RENDS 
 
 
 
~ :. 
 
~ 
 
Total nonagricultural employment 
Georgia 
Thousands 
3,800 
 
~ 
 
~ 
 
3,700 
 
3,600 
 
3,500 
 
3,400 
 
3,300 
 
JFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJF 
 
199s 
 
I 
 
1997 
 
l199a 
 
Employment by industry 
 
Thousands 60.0 
 
Over-the-year change February 1998 
 
55.5 
 
50.0 
 
40.0 
 
30.0 
 
20.0 
 
"10.0 
 
0.0 
 
Transportation, Construction Manufacturing communications 
& public utilities 
 
Wholesale & retail trade 
 
Finance, insurance & real estate 
 
Services 
 
Government 
 
3 
 
 GEORG IA NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ....................................... . GO<?d.s producing industries .......................................... . Mining .......................................................... . Contract construction .............................................. . Manufacturing .................................................... . Durable goods .................................................. . Lumber and wood products ...................................... . Logging camps, sawmills and planing mills ......................... . Furniture and fixtures ........................................... . Household furniture ........................................... . Stone, clay and glass products ................................... . Primary metal industries ......................................... . Fabricated metal products ....................................... . Industrial machinery, except electric ............................... . Electric and electronic equipment ................................. . Transportation equipment ........................................ . Other durable goods ............................................ . Nondurable goods ............................................... . Food and kindred products ...................................... . Meat products ................................................ . Bakery products ................................ ; ............. . Textile mill products ............................................ . Weaving mills, cotton .......................................... . Weaving mills, synthetic ........................................ . Knitting mills ................................................. . Floor covering mills ........................................... . Yarn and thread mills .......................................... . Apparel and other finished textiles ................................. . Men's and boys' clothing ....................................... . Women's and children's clothing ................................. . Paper and allied products ........................................ . Pulp, paper and paperboard mills ................................ . Paperboard containers and boxes ............................... . Printing and publishing .......................................... . Commercial printing ........................................... . Chemicals and allied products .................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ......................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ........ . Transportation .................................................. . Communications (except U.S. Postal Service) ......................... . Electric, gas and sanitary services .................................. . Wholesale and retail trade .......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................. . 
Wholesale trade-durable goods ................................... . Wholesale trade-nondurable goods ................................ . Retail trade ..................................................... . General merchandise ........................................... . Eating and drinking ............................................. . Finance, insurance and real estate ................................... . Finance ........................................................ . Insurance carriers, agents and brokers .............................. . Real estate ..................................................... . Services ........................................................ . Hot~ls and oth~r lodging places .................................... . Business services ............................................... . Health services ................................................. . Private hospitals ............................................... . Other services .................................................. . Amusement and recreation ...................................... . Government ..................................................... . Federal ........................................................ . Defense ...................................................... . Other federal (including U.S. Postal Service) ........................ . State .......................................................... . State education ................................................ . Other state ................................................... . Local .......................................................... . Local education ................................................ . Other local .................................................... . 
 
3,673.7 769.2 8.2 173.3 587.7 251.0 40.6 13.4 11.3 5.8 21.3 14.5 25.5 37.6 34.9 48.0 17.3 336.7 69.2 35.0 8.9 104.8 15.6 9.5 6.3 40.6 18.2 31.9 12.7 8.6 35.0 13.9 8.9 43.4 17.2 21.8 30.6 
2,904.5 235.5 144.0 
67.3 24.2 918.9 249.4 162.5 86.9 
669.5 81.0 
241.0 191.2 
91.2 62.0 38.0 970.0 44.5 278.9 230.2 90.7 416.4 29.2 588.9 93.9 27.8 66.1 150.0 67.1 82.9 345.0 203.6 141.4 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) 
JAN 1998 
3,655.5 768.1 8.1 171.4 588.6 250.2 40.4 13.3 11.4 5.8 21.3 14.5 25.3 37.3 34.8 47.9 17.3 338.4 69.2 34.8 9.0 106.4 15.6 9.6 6.2 40.5 18.2 32.4 13.1 8.9 34.8 14.0 8.7 43.4 17.3 21.6 30.6 
2,887.4 234.6 143.0 67.4 24.2 921.7 247.9 161.3 86.6 673.8 86.9 238.3 191.1 91.2 61.9 38.0 954.8 44.1 273.2 229.2 90.6 408.3 27.3 585.2 92.8 27.3 65.5 147.9 65.3 82.6 344.5 203.8 140.7 
 
CURRENT 
MONTH YEAR AGO 
FEB1997 
3,539.1 753.4 7.7 159.9 585.8 242.5 40.5 13.6 10.6 5.3 20.4 13.9 24.4 36.4 33.9 45.2 17.2 343.3 69.2 35.3 9.0 108.4 16.1 9.1 7.1 41.4 17.8 36.5 14.8 11.2 34.1 13.7 8.6 43.5 17.6 21.3 30.3 
2,785.7 224.3 135.8 64.9 23.6 887.7 237.0 152.3 84.7 650.7 80.3 234.0 182.6 86.2 60.5 35.9 914.5 42.1 253.6 225.8 88.1 393.0 27.8 576.6 94.4 28.4 66.0 147.3 62.4 84.9 334.9 197.5 137.4 
 
- NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+18.2 +1.1 +.1 +1.9 -.9 +.8 +.2 +.1 -.1 
+.O +.O +.O +.2 +.3 +.1 +.1 +.O -1.7 
+.O +.2 -.1 -1.6 
+.O -.1 +.1 +.1 +.O -.5 -.4 -.3 +.2 -.1 +.2 +.O -.1 
+.2 +.O +17.1 +.9 +1.0 -.1 
+.O -2.8 +1.5 +1.2 +.3 -4.3 -5.9 +2.7 +.1 +.O +.1 +.O +15.2 +.4 +5.7 +1.0 +.1 +8.1 +1.9 +3.7 +1.1 +.5 +.6 +2.1 +1.8 +.3 +.5 -.2 
+.7 
 
+134.6 +15.8 +.5 +13.4 +1.9 +8.5 +.1 -.2 +.7 +.5 +.9 +.6 +1.1 +1.2 +1.0 +2.8 +.1 -6.6 +.O -.3 -.1 -3.6 -.5 
+.4 -.8 -.8 +.4 -4.6 -2.1 -2.6 +.9 +.2 +.3 -.1 -.4 
+.5 +.3 +118.8 +11.2 +8.2 +2.4 +.6 +31.2 +12.4 +10.2 +2.2 
+18.8 +.7 
+7.0 +8.6 +5.0 +1.5 +2.1 +55.5 +2.4 +25.3 +4.4 +2.6 +23.4 +1.4 +12.3 
-.5 -.6 +.1 +2.7 +4.7 -2.0 +10.1 +6.1 +4.0 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers throughout Georgia. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
4 
 
 - ~,,,. 
 
~ 
 
, 
 
'- - 
 
: GECJRGIA HOURS-AND EARNINGS 
 
;;;:: ~ ~~=~ " , - - , - 
 
- 
 
- 
 
-AVERAGEWEEKLYEARNINGS- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRE LIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
Total manufacturing ........................ $495.46 
 
Durable goods ........................... $524.56 
 
Lumber and wood products ............... $392.03 
 
Furniture and fixtures .................... $403.01 
 
Stone, clay and glass products ............ $611.48 
 
Primary metal industries .................. 
Fabricated metal products ................ 
 
$588.24 $448.98 
 
Industrial machinery ..................... 
Electric and electronic equipment .......... 
 
$489.30 $487.53 
 
Transportation equipment ................. $793.58 
 
Nondurable goods ........................ 
Food and kindred products ............... Textile mill products ..................... 
 
$473.41 $422.92 $439.72 
 
Weaving mills, cotton ................... $418.31 
 
Weaving mills, synthetic ................ 
Knitting mills .......................... Floor covering mills .................... Yarn and thread mills ................... 
 
$486.02 $388.96 $458.85 $439.07 
 
Apparel and other finished textiles .......... $268.52 
 
Men's and boys' clothing ................ $241.09 
 
Women's and children's clothing .......... $284.28 
 
Paper and allied products ................. 
Pulp, paper and paperboard mills ......... 
 
$726.34 $993.47 
 
Chemicals and allied products ............. $656.07 
 
$500.22 $530.44 $410.46 $413.65 $577.28 $601.22 $460.71 $466.62 $492.88 $821.92 $479.39 $430.31 $443.08 $431.96 $489.19 $373.67 $462.44 $437.65 $282.22 $265.72 $290.24 $720.59 $938.91 $663.92 
 
$483.11 $534.53 $390.00 $386.80 $520.80 $521.79 $442.98 $488.35 $543.44 $887.59 $446.61 $388.00 $416.90 $403.60 $526.36 $377.58 $412.59 $416.58 $270.84 $247.45 $291.08 $691.96 $930.23 $632.03 
 
-AVERAGE WEEKLY HOURS - 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRE LIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
41.6 42.0 41.9 41.5 41.8 42.9 38.7 40.4 39.0 40.1 41.2 40.0 46.5 43.8 42.0 45.6 46.0 42.7 42.0 43.3 41.4 
42.0 40.4 42.8 40.9 40.7 45.4 43.2 44.5 47.9 41.6 42.2 41.2 
41.1 41.9 40.0 
42.2 42.4 41.4 
40.3 41.1 40.4 
40.3 40.8 43.9 41.6 39.5 40.6 43.7 44.0 41.3 
42.3 41.8 41.7 35.1 36.7 36.6 33.3 36.4 35.0 36.4 36.6 38.0 46.0 46.4 46.1 49.5 47.3 48.5 42.3 43.0 43.8 
 
- 
 
- 
 
-' - ~-AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
$11.91 $12.64 $10.13 $10.05 $13.15 $12.90 $10.69 $11.65 $11.92 $18.37 $11.38 $10.29 $10.42 $10.38 $12.06 $9.35 $10.50 $10.38 $7.65 $7.24 $7.81 $15.79 $20.07 $15.51 
 
$11.91 $12.69 $10.16 $10.04 $13.18 $13.07 $10.64 $11.55 $12.11 $18.47 $11.36 $10.27 $10.45 $10.51 $11.99 $9.46 $10.51 $10.47 $7.69 $7.30 $7.93 $15.53 $19.85 $15.44 
 
$11.53 $12.46 $10.00 
$9.67 $12.40 $12.22 $10.70 $11.41 $11.97 $18.53 $10.84 
$9.70 $10.07 
$9.99 $11.99 
$9.30 $9.99 $9.99 $7.40 $7.07 $7.66 $15.01 $19.18 $14.43 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data exclude supervisory, sales, clerical and other office personnel. Average earnings are computed on a "grossn basis, reflecting changes in basic hourly and incentive wage rates, as well as any premium pay for overtime and late shift work. 
 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
GEORGIA AVERAGE WEEKLY HOURS 
 
Manufacturing production workers 
 
44.0 
 
43.7 
 
43.0 
 
42.0 41.0 . 
 
40.0 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb* 
 
1997 
 
I 199a 
 
*Preliminary estimate 
 
5 
 
 ATLANTA N~~AGRICULTUR~L EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S). . 
 
. . . :'. _.- '. ., . 
 
- 
 
' 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Mining ........................................................ . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Lumber and wood products ..................................... . Stone, clay and glass products .................................. . Primary metal industries ........................................ . Fabricated metal products ...................................... . Industrial machinery, except electrical ............................. . Electric and electronic equipment ................................. . Transportation equipment ....................................... . Other durable goods ........................................... . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textile mill products ............................................ . Apparel and other finished textiles ................................ . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Printing and publishing ......................................... . Commercial printing .......................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Transportation ................................................. . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Wholesale trade-durable goods .................................. . Wholesale trade-nondurable goods ............................... . Retail trade .................................................... . Eating and drinking ............................................ . Miscellaneous retail ............................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Finance ....................................................... . Insurance carriers, agents and brokers ............................. . Real estate .................................................... . Services ....................................................... . Hotels and other lodging places ................................... . Business services .............................................. . Health services ................................................ . Private hospitals .............................................. . Other services ................................................. . Amusement and recreation ..................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State Local ........................................................ . 
 
1,999.0 319.5 1.7 97.3 220.5 110.4 7.7 9.2 8.5 11.7 15.2 18.9 23.0 16.2 110.1 23.5 12.7 7.7 13.4 28.3 11.2 10.4 14.1 
1,679.5 168.3 103.7 524.4 168.5 118.7 49.8 355.9 127.2 39.7 131.0 60.5 46.1 24.4 597.1 26.5 198.9 113.6 44.8 258.0 26.0 258.7 47.1 55.0 156.6 
 
1,985.9 318.8 1.7 96.7 220.4 110.5 7.6 9.2 8.5 11.7 15.4 18.9 23.0 16.2 109.9 23.6 12.6 7.7 13.5 28.2 11.2 10.4 13.9 
1,667.1 167.4 102.8 525.8 167.9 118.4 49.5 357.9 125.5 40.1 130.6 60.4 45.9 24.3 587.0 26.3 194.5 113.2 44.5 253.0 25.0 256.3 46.0 54.0 156.3 
 
1,914.5 307.7 1.6 89.0 217.1 107.6 7.5 8.7 8.3 11.2 15.5 18.5 21.9 16.0 109.5 23.2 12.4 9.1 13.2 27.9 11.2 10.1 13.6 
1,606.8 160.3 96.6 507.2 158.7 110.5 48.2 348.5 125.2 40.2 124.1 56.4 44.1 23.6 559.8 24.9 180.8 110.6 43.5 243.5 25.5 255.4 48.0 53.8 153.6 
 
+13.1 +.7 +.O +.6 +.1 -.1 +.1 +.O +.O +.O -.2 +.O +.O +.O +.2 -.1 +.1 +.O -.1 +.1 +.O +.O +.2 
+12.4 +.9 +.9 -1.4 +.6 +.3 +.3 -2.0 
+1.7 -.4 +.4 +.1 +.2 +.1 
+10.1 +.2 
+4.4 +.4 +.3 
+5.0 +1.0 +2.4 +1.1 +1.0 +.3 
 
+84.5 +11.8 
+.1 +8.3 +3.4 +2.8 
+.2 +.5 +.2 +.5 -.3 +.4 +1.1 +.2 +.6 +.3 +.3 -1.4 +.2 +.4 +.O +.3 +.5 +72.7 +8.0 +7.1 +17.2 +9.8 +8.2 +1.6 +7.4 +2.0 -.5 +6.9 +4.1 +2.0 +.8 +37.3 +1.6 +18.1 +3.0 +1.3 +14.5 +.5 +3.3 -.9 +1.2 +3.0 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
6 
 
 ALBANY NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Mining ......................................................... . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textiles and apparel products ................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
59.2 
 
59.4 
 
58.7 
 
12.3 
 
12.5 
 
12.4 
 
.0 
 
.0 
 
.0 
 
3.6 
 
3.6 
 
3.4 
 
8.7 
 
8.9 
 
9.0 
 
1.9 
 
2.0 
 
2.0 
 
6.8 
 
6.9 
 
7.0 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
2.1 
 
1.0 
 
1.0 
 
.9 
 
.6 
 
.6 
 
.6 
 
3.4 
 
3.5 
 
3.4 
 
46.9 
 
46.9 
 
46.3 
 
3.1 
 
3.1 
 
2.9 
 
14.1 
 
14.0 
 
13.6 
 
3.2 
 
3.2 
 
3.2 
 
10.9 
 
10.8 
 
10.4 
 
2.1 
 
2.1 
 
2.2 
 
15.0 
 
15.1 
 
14.8 
 
12.6 
 
12.6 
 
12.8 
 
2.9 
 
2.9 
 
3.0 
 
9.7 
 
9.7 
 
9.8 
 
-.2 
 
+.5 
 
-.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
-.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Albany Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Dougherty and Lee counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
ATHENS NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Construction and mining ........................................... . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textiles and apparel products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate ....................... , .......... . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
73.5 
 
72.9 
 
70.9 
 
14.0 
 
14.0 
 
13.9 
 
2.5 
 
2.5 
 
2.4 
 
11.5 
 
11.5 
 
11.5 
 
5.1 
 
5.2 
 
5.1 
 
6.4 
 
6.3 
 
6.4 
 
3.2 
 
3.1 
 
3.2 
 
1.5 
 
1.5 
 
1.5 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
59.5 
 
58.9 
 
57.0 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
18.1 
 
17.9 
 
17.9 
 
2.7 
 
2.8 
 
2.9 
 
15.4 
 
15.1 
 
15.0 
 
2.2 
 
2.2 
 
2.2 
 
15.1 
 
15.0 
 
14.7 
 
22.3 
 
22.0 
 
20.4 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
20.6 
 
20.3 
 
18.7 
 
+.6 
 
+2.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+2.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
-.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.3 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.4 
 
+.3 
 
.+1.9 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+1.9 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Clarke, Madison and Oconee counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
7 
 
  ' 
 
~ 
 
., 
 
" - 
 
" 
 
, 
 
0 
 
AWGUS4A--.:J~.IKEN NONAGRICULTURALEMPLOYMENT(OOO'S) 
 
 -~ 
 
- 
 
' - 
 
- 
 
- - ':::_ - 
 
- 
 
~ 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment .................................. . Go~d.s producing industries ..................................... . Mining ..................................................... . Contract construction ......................................... . Manufacturing ............................................... . Durable goods ............................................. . Lumber and wood products ................................. . Stone, clay and glass products .............................. . Other durable goods ....................................... . Nondurable goods .......................................... . Food and kindred products ................................. . Textile mill products ........................................ . Apparel and other finished textiies ............................ . Printing and publishing ..................................... . Other nondurable goods .................................... . Service producing industries .................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ... . Who!esaie and retail trade ..................................... . Wholesale trade ............................................ . Retail trade ................................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .............................. . Services ................................................... . Government ................................................ . Federal ................................................... . State and local ............................................. . 
 
193.5 53.2 
.4 
11.1 41.7 11.2 
1.2 3.0 7.0 30.5 2.4 6.2 2.6 1.6 17.7 140.3 6.7 41.9 4.9 37.0 6.1 45.9 39.7 7.1 32.6 
 
193.6 53.2 
.4 
10.8 42.0 11.3 
1.2 3.0 7.1 30.7 2.4 6.2 2.6 1.7 17.8 140.4 6.7 41.9 4.9 37.0 6.1 45.9 39.8 7.2 32.6 
 
- 
 
,- 
 
- - --,i""!-, 
 
. 
,,, 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-: 
~ _::.. 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
190.8 52.7 .4 
11.2 41.1 11.0 
1.2 2.9 6.9 30.1 2.1 6.3 2.9 1.6 17.2 138.1 6.3 41.1 4.8 36.3 6.0 44.9 39.8 7.4 32.4 
 
-.1 
 
+2.7 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.3 
 
+.6 
 
-.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.5 
 
-.1 
 
+2.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.7 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+1.0 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
COLU-MBUS - 
 
NONAGRICULTURALEMPLOYMENT(OOO'S) 
 
. 
 
- 
 
-"( 
 
...... 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment .................................. . Goods producing industries ..................................... . Construction and mining ....................................... . Manufacturing ............................................... . Durable goods ............................................. . Nondurable goods .......................................... . Food and kindred products ................................. . Textile mill products ........................................ . Printing and publishing ..................................... . Other nondurable goods .................................... . Service producing industries .................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ... . Wholesale and retail trade ..................................... . Wholesale trade ............................................ . Retail trade ................................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .............................. . Services ................................................... . Government ................................................ . Federal ................................................... . State and local ............................................. . 
 
116.1 27.2 
5.4 21.8 
9.7 12.1 3.1 5.5 1.3 2.2 88.9 4.2 26.0 3.8 22.2 8.2 30.0 20.5 5.3 15.2 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
115.9 26.9 
5.3 21.6 
9.5 12.1 3.1 5.5 
1.3 2.2 89.0 4.2 26.2 3.9 22.3 8.1 29.9 20.6 5.4 15.2 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
113.5 27.0 
5.2 21.8 
9.0 12.8 3.3 5.9 1.3 2.3 86.5 4.0 25.3 3.8 21.5 7.9 28.7 20.6 5.4 15.2 
 
. 
 
. ' 
 
. 
 
. 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+.2 
 
+2.6 
 
+.3 
 
+.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.7 
 
+.O 
 
-.7 
 
+.O 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+2.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
+.7 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.7 
 
+.1 
 
+.3 
 
+.1 
 
+1.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Chattahoochee, Harris and Muscogee counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 8 
 
 rm~GON -~ON.AG_RICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
- ~~- 
 
~ 
 
_....,__ 
 
-- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . GoC?d.s producing industries ......................................... . Mining ......................................................... . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ...................................... . Textile mill products ............................................ . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
150.6 28.2 
1.3 6.5 20.4 9.5 10.9 2.8 1.4 1.5 5.2 122.4 5.3 34.1 5.1 29.0 8.9 40.8 33.3 12.9 20.4 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
150.2 28.2 1.3 6.5 20.4 9.5 10.9 2.8 1.4 1.5 5.2 
122.0 5.3 
34.2 5.1 
29.1 8.9 
40.4 33.2 12.7 20.5 
 
. 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
146.0 27.4 1.1 6.2 20.1 9.1 11.0 2.9 1.5 1.5 5.1 
118.6 5.3 
33.8 4.9 28.9 8.2 38.2 33.1 13.1 
20.0 
 
- 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+.4 
 
+4.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.4 
 
+3.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.7 
 
+.4 
 
+2.6 
 
+.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.4 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bibb, Houston, Jones, Peach and Twiggs counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
SAVANNAH NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . 
Goods producing industries ......................................... . Construction and mining ........................................... . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Lumber and wood products ..................................... . Transportation equipment ....................................... . Other durable goods ........................................... . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Petroleum and coal products .................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . 
Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade .................... : ........................... . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
133.0 25.7 
7.4 18.3 8.5 
.9 5.7 1.9 9.8 1.9 5.0 1.6 
.3 1.0 107.3 9.4 33.4 5.4 28.0 4.4 39.2 20.9 2.8 18.1 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
133.1 25.8 
7.6 18.2 
8.5 .9 
5.7 1.9 9.7 1.8 5.0 1.6 .3 1.0 107.3 9.6 33.8 5.3 28.5 4.4 38.7 20.8 2.8 18.0 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
129.3 24.2 
7.0 17.2 7.9 
.9 5.2 1.8 9.3 1.8 4.8 1.4 
.3 1.0 105.1 9.4 32.2 5.3 26.9 4.4 38.0 21.1 3.1 18.0 
 
-.1 
 
+3.7 
 
-.1 
 
+1.5 
 
-.2 
 
+.4 
 
+.1 
 
+1.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+2.2 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.4 
 
+1.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
-.5 
 
+1.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+1.2 
 
+.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
9 
 
 LABOR FORCE.TRENDS 
 
Unemployment edges up 
 
Unemployment rates - Georgia and U.S. 
 
Georgia's unemployment rate rose by 
 
three-tenths of a percentage point in Febru- 
 
ary to 4.1 percent. Despite the increase, this 
 
was the lowest unemployment rate for the month of February in 25 years. February's 
 
6.0% 
 
increase was expected as the statewide un- 
 
employment rate has increased from Janu- 
 
0 
 
ary to February for 20 of the last 21 years. Prior to the increase in February, Georgia's 
 
5.0o/o 
 
jobless rate had remained unchanged at 3.8 
 
percent for the last two months. One year 
 
ago, the jobless rate was 4.8 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate, not season- 
 
4.0o/o 
 
ally adjusted, declined from 5.2 percent in 
 
January to 5.0 percent in February. With the exception of October 1997, Georgia's unemployment rate has remained at or below the national rate since October 1990. 
Total civilian employment grew by more 
 
* Georgia -o-- U.S. 
3.0o/o-r~-.~--,,-~,,__,_,_~-,~--.~--.~~.-J-~~~~~~~-l 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb 
 
97 
 
I 98 
 
than 28,000 in February. Following a onemonth seasonal decline, nonagricultural employment resumed its growth in February. This, along with an increase in agricultural employment, fueled the growth in total civilian employment. 
 
The number of persons receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the reference week was virtually unchanged over the month; however, the total number of unemployed persons rose by more than 16,000 
 
in February due to increases in the number of new and re-entrants into the labor force. Georgia's low unemployment rate and strong job growth have motivated more people (who had not been actively in the labor market) to begin seeking employment. 
 
Southeastern unemployment rates 
 
Area data 
 
Ill February 1998 51 January i 998 
6% 5% " " ." " " " 4% 
 
The unemployment situation in six of Georgia's seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) followed the statewide trend with higher levels of unemployment. All metro areas except Augusta-Aiken had higher unemployment rates. Albany, at 6.6 percent, had the highest metro rate and Athens, at 2.9 percent, had the lowest rate. 
Across the state, 115 Georgia counties had higher jobless rates while 37 counties had lower rates and seven counties did not change. Hancock County, at 18.6 percent, had the highest jobless rate and Oconee County, at 1.9 percent, had the lowest rate at the county level. 
 
3% 
2% 
AL 
10 
 
FL GA KY MS NC SC TN 
 
Most southeastern states recorded lower unemployment rates in February. Georgia was the only state with a higher rate over the month, but despite the increase, Georgia still had the second lowest rate in the region. South Carolina had the lowest unemployment rate in February and Mississippi had the highest. 
 
 GEORGIA LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES 
 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
. 
 
AREA Georgia (Not seasonally adjusted) Albany MSA 
Athens MSA 
Atlanta MSA 
Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC MSA 
Columbus, GA-AL MSA 
Macon MSA 
Savannah MSA 
 
EMPLOYMENT STAlUS 
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 FEB1998 
3,924,742 3,762,609 
162,133 4.1 
57,199 53,416 
3,783 6.6 
74,113 71,946 2,167 
2.9 
2,075,543 2,009,257 
66,286 3.2 
201,931 190,930 
11,001 5.4 
121,762 116,651 
5, 111 4.2 
153,974 146,131 
7,843 5.1 
132,945 127,575 
5,370 4.0 
 
REVISED JAN1998 
3,879,736 3,733,947 
145,789 3.8 
56,739 53,296 
3,443 6.1 
72,901 70,867 
2,034 2.8 
2,054,720 1,993,763 
60,957 3.0 
201,036 190,160 
10,876 5.4 
121,295 116,363 
4,932 4.1 
151,907 145,460 
6,447 4.2 
132,360 127,364 
4,996 3.8 
 
REVISED FEB1997 
3,849,114 3,663,088 
186,026 4.8 
56,666 53,142 
3,524 6.2 
72,118 69,847 2,271 
3.1 
2,023,401 1,944,717 
78,684 3.9 
203,149 189,570 
13,579 6.7 
120,777 115,100 
5,677 4.7 
149,908 143,090 
6,818 4.5 
132, 125 125,227 
6,898 5.2 
 
CHANGE FROM 
 
REVISED JAN1998 
 
REVISED FEB1997 
 
45,006 28,662 16,344 
 
75,628 99,521 -23,893 
 
460 
 
533 
 
120 
 
274 
 
340 
 
259 
 
1,212 1,079 
133 
 
1,995 2,099 -104 
 
20,823 15,494 5,329 
 
52,142 64,540 -12,398 
 
895 
 
-1,218 
 
770 
 
1,360 
 
125 
 
-2,578 
 
467 
 
985 
 
288 
 
1,551 
 
179 
 
-566 
 
2,067 671 
1,396 
 
4,066 3,041 1,025 
 
585 
 
820 
 
211 
 
2,348 
 
374 
 
-1,528 
 
UNITED STATES LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
United States (Seasonally adjusted) 
United States (Not seasonally adjusted) 
 
EMPLOYMENT STAlUS 
Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 
Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 
 
FEB1998 
137,557,000 131, 163,000 
6,393,000 4.6 
136,286,000 129,482,000 
6,804,000 5.0 
 
JAN1998 
137,493,000 131,083,000 
6,409,000 4.7 
135,951,000 128,882,000 
7,069,000 5.2 
 
FEB1997 
135,689,000 128,515,000 
7,174,000 5.3 
134,535,000 126,887,000 
7,647,000 5.7 
 
CHANGE FROM 
 
JAN1998 
 
FEB1997 
 
64,000 80,000 -16,000 
 
1,868,000 2,648,000 -781,000 
 
335,000 600,000 -265,000 
 
1,751,000 2,595,000 -843,000 
 
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 Market Information 
 
11 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES(NO~SEAS~NALLYADJUSTED),:, ,i'. .,;.,-: 
 
PLACEOFRESIDENCE-PERSQ-iS16YEARSOLDANDOVER  
 
0 
  
 
... 
 
 
 
. -. '" _ 
."'. : 
 
I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
LABOR FORCE 
 
EMPLOYMENT 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
LABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTLABOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT 
 
NUMBER RATE 
 
Georgia 
 
3,924,742 3,762,609 162,133 4.1 3,879,736 3,733,947 145,789 3.8 3,849,114 3,663,088 186,026 4.8 
 
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 
 
8,612 3,400 4,662 1,545 18,378 
6,043 19,515 36,553 8,868 
7,002 
75,990 5,375 5,610 7,581 
10,167 
26,296 8,440 8,530 2,252 15,933 
4,166 42,814 24,358 
3,894 106,791 
2,261 11,941 71,351 47,767 
1,644 
119,858 4,080 
335,282 18,027 18,981 
41,001 7,589 
40,156 5,087 9,793 
6,837 10,730 12,205 360,657 9,362 
4,645 46,338 49,170 4,976 
1,094 
 
7,747 3,102 4,217 1,417 16,672 
 
865 10.0 298 8.8 445 9.5 128 8.3 1,706 9.3 
 
5,777 18,731 34,815 
8,393 6,722 
 
266 4.4 784 4.0 1,738 4.8 475 5.4 280 4.0 
 
71,605 5,125 5,237 6,944 9,870 
 
4,385 5.8 250 4.7 373 6.6 637 8.4 297 2.9 
 
25,386 7,388 8,117 2,111 15,290 
 
910 3.5 1,052 12.5 
413 4.8 141 6.3 643 4.0 
 
3,958 40,719 23,645 3,706 102,196 
 
208 5.0 2,095 4.9 
713 2.9 188 4.8 4,595 4.3 
 
2,101 11,483 69,688 46,334 
1,519 
 
160 7.1 458 3.8 1,663 2.3 1,433 3.0 125 7.6 
 
115,578 3,926 
326,700 16,965 18,177 
 
4,280 3.6 154 3.8 
8,582 2.6 1,062 5.9 
804 4.2 
 
39,576 7,219 
38,951 4,847 9,228 
 
1,425 3.5 370 4.9 
1,205 3.0 240 4.7 565 5.8 
 
6,619 
 
218 3.2 
 
10,488 
 
242 2.3 
 
11,662 
 
543 4.4 
 
347,313 13,344 3.7 
 
8,688 
 
674 7.2 
 
4,331 43,069 47,682 
4,657 1,070 
 
314 6.8 3,269 7.1 1,488 3.0 
319 6.4 24 2.2 
 
8,425 3,343 4,754 1,485 17,281 
5,929 19,326 36,188 8,733 
6,880 
74,888 5,309 5,575 7,440 10,103 
25,973 8,288 8,325 2,192 15,781 
4,049 42,430 24,602 
3,851 106,356 
2,253 11,926 70,710 47,001 
1,596 
118,485 3,984 
331,934 17,809 18,702 
40,838 7,435 
39,804 4,981 9,631 
6,920 10,717 12,003 356,755 
9,035 
4,518 45,953 48,690 
4,872 1,084 
 
7,659 3,044 4,164 1,366 16,582 
 
766 9.1 299 8.9 590 12.4 119 8.0 699 4.0 
 
5,701 18,587 34,546 
8,280 6,600 
 
228 3.8 739 3.8 1,642 4.5 453 5.2 280 4.1 
 
71,276 5,070 5,196 6,879 9,854 
 
3,612 4.8 239 4.5 379 6.8 561 7.5 249 2.5 
 
25,174 7,295 8,062 2,050 
15, 186 
 
799 3.1 993 12.0 263 3.2 142 6.5 595 3.8 
 
3,888 40,405 23,588 
3,680 102,027 
 
161 4.0 2,025 4.8 1,014 4.1 
171 4.4 4,329 4.1 
 
2,094 11,412 69,151 45,639 
1,485 
 
159 7.1 514 4.3 1,559 2.2 1,362 2.9 111 7.0 
 
114,687 3,880 
324,181 16,718 17,886 
 
3,798 3.2 104 2.6 
7,753 2.3 1,091 6.1 
816 4.4 
 
39,514 7,115 
38,650 4,791 9,085 
 
1,324 3.2 320 4.3 
1,154 2.9 190 3.8 546 5.7 
 
6,604 10,435 11,505 344,634 8,606 
 
316 4.6 282 2.6 498 4.1 12,121 3.4 429 4.7 
 
4,263 42,972 47,314 
4,559 1,060 
 
255 5.6 2,981 6.5 1,376 2.8 
313 6.4 24 2.2 
 
8,328 3,358 4,485 1,538 17,183 
6,035 19,015 35,783 8,698 
6,850 
73,793 5,274 5,561 7,519 10,130 
25,345 8,447 8,401 2,240 15,755 
4,041 41,500 24,881 
3,850 106, 114 
2,221 11,930 69,391 46,315 
1,664 
117,147 3,963 
326,456 17,537 18,768 
41,169 7,556 
39,087 4,925 9,544 
6,919 10,568 11,836 352,629 9,204 
4,662 45,913 47,658 5,000 
1,077 
 
7,619 2,980 4,131 1,391 16,397 
 
709 8.5 37811.3 354 7.9 147 9.6 786 4.6 
 
5,619 18,129 33,696 
8,122 6,456 
 
416 6.9 886 4.7 2,087 5.8 576 6.6 394 5.8 
 
70,115 5,013 5,129 6,765 9,688 
 
3,678 5.0 261 4.9 432 7.8 75410.0 442 4.4 
 
24,559 7,176 7,956 2,067 
14,938 
 
786 3.1 1,27115.0 
445 5.3 173 7.7 817 5.2 
 
3,865 39,411 23,593 
3,620 100,316 
 
176 4.4 2,089 5.0 1,288 5.2 
230 6.0 5,798 5.5 
 
2,073 11,400 67,450 44,982 
1,480 
 
148 6.7 530 4.4 1,941 2.8 1,333 2.9 18411.1 
 
111,865 3,790 
316,206 16,463 17,649 
 
5,282 4.5 173 4.4 
10,250 3.1 1,074 6.1 1,119 6.0 
 
39,369 7,047 
37,700 4,650 8,975 
 
1,800 4.4 509 6.7 
1,387 3.5 275 5.6 569 6.0 
 
6,605 10,323 11,244 336,156 8,562 
 
314 4.5 245 2.3 592 5.0 16,473 4.7 642 7.0 
 
4,212 42,848 46,150 
4,518 1,042 
 
450 9.7 3,065 6.7 1,508 3.2 
482 9.6 35 3.2 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16 YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin 
Fayette Floyd Forsyth 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 
 
I I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
LABOR FORCE 
 
EMPLOYMENT 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
LABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTLASOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT 
 
NUMBER RATE 
 
15,986 9,142 8,593 4,844 8,480 
 
15,508 8,381 7,914 4,671 8,019 
 
478 3.0 761 8.3 679 7.9 173 3.6 461 5.4 
 
15,901 9,018 8,371 4,761 8,450 
 
15,483 8,292 7,835 4,612 7,971 
 
418 2.6 726 8.1 536 6.4 149 3.1 479 5.7 
 
15,881 8,938 8,815 4,759 8,454 
 
15,223 8,144 7,898 4,546 7,846 
 
658 4.1 794 8.9 91710.4 213 4.5 608 7.2 
 
45,811 45,948 39,915 10,041 395,099 
 
44,815 
 
996 2.2 
 
44,047 1,901 4.1 
 
39,133 
 
782 2.0 
 
9,674 
 
367 3.7 
 
380,211 14,888 3.8 
 
45,319 45,507 39,666 
9,927 391,239 
 
44,469 
 
850 1.9 
 
43,805 1,702 3.7 
 
38,831 
 
835 2.1 
 
9,571 
 
356 3.6 
 
377,279 13,960 3.6 
 
44,428 45,554 38,759 10,142 387,061 
 
43,375 43,270 37,876 
9,500 367,998 
 
1,053 2.4 2,284 5.0 
883 2.3 642 6.3 19,063 4.9 
 
8,428 1,159 34,608 21,339 9,427 
 
7,869 1,007 33,471 20,540 8,871 
 
559 6.6 152 13.1 1,137 3.3 799 3.7 556 5.9 
 
8,300 1,135 34,415 21, 110 9,196 
 
7,795 997 
33,298 20,373 
8,698 
 
505 6.1 138 12.2 1,117 3.2 737 3.5 498 5.4 
 
8,212 1,195 33,943 21,525 10,122 
 
7,660 998 
32,533 20,062 
8,981 
 
552 6.7 19716.5 1,410 4.2 1,463 6.8 1,14111.3 
 
5,671 302,626 
14,974 67,603 
4,233 
 
5,346 295,481 
14,471 65,564 3,445 
 
325 5.7 7,145 2.4 
503 3.4 2,039 3.0 
788 18.6 
 
5,595 299,753 
14,798 66,979 
3,708 
 
5,289 293,202 
14,312 65,168 
3,412 
 
306 5.5 6,551 2.2 
486 3.3 1,811 2.7 
296 8.0 
 
5,547 293,851 
15,080 66,174 
3,850 
 
5,174 285,990 
14,088 63,935 
3,370 
 
373 6.7 7,861 2.7 
992 6.6 2,239 3.4 
48012.5 
 
9,289 10,902 
8,452 3,831 51,572 
 
8,679 10,645 
8,114 3,631 50,120 
 
610 6.6 257 2.4 338 4.0 200 5.2 1,452 2.8 
 
9,303 10,897 8,386 3,809 50,936 
 
8,625 10,610 
8,028 3,605 49,733 
 
678 7.3 287 2.6 358 4.3 204 5.4 1,203 2.4 
 
9,225 10,914 
8,416 3,791 49,837 
 
8,559 10,500 
7,910 3,562 48,510 
 
666 7.2 414 3.8 506 6.0 229 6.0 1,327 2.7 
 
50,695 4,592 
21,486 4,934 5,766 
 
48,715 4,370 
20,695 4,769 5,343 
 
1,980 3.9 222 4.8 791 3.7 165 3.3 423 7.3 
 
50,199 4,497 
21,221 4,912 5,633 
 
48,491 4,312 
20,495 4,729 5,277 
 
1,708 3.4 185 4.1 726 3.4 183 3.7 356 6.3 
 
49,663 4,533 
21,029 4,906 5,514 
 
47,701 4,229 
20,192 4,597 5,149 
 
1,962 4.0 304 6.7 837 4.0 309 6.3 365 6.6 
 
8,179 4,641 4,138 12,140 7,450 
 
7,002 4,425 3,488 11,473 7,168 
 
1,177 14.4 216 4.7 650 15.7 667 5.5 282 3.8 
 
7,598 4,577 3,864 11,830 7,374 
 
6,918 4,359 3,451 11,420 7,120 
 
680 8.9 218 4.8 413 10.7 410 3.5 254 3.4 
 
8,064 4,493 3,668 11,650 7,462 
 
6,939 4,266 3,428 11,234 7,187 
 
1,12514.0 227 5.1 240 6.5 416 3.6 275 3.7 
 
3,229 24,758 10,861 17,341 
3,633 
 
3,127 21,380 10,347 16,194 
3,433 
 
102 3.2 3,378 13.6 
514 4.7 1,147 6.6 
200 5.5 
 
3,163 22,363 10,786 17,212 3,647 
 
3,098 21,204 10,324 16,096 
3,405 
 
65 2.1 1,159 5.2 
462 4.3 1,116 6.5 
242 6.6 
 
3,172 21,807 10,753 17,254 
3,614 
 
3,047 20,901 10,294 15,875 
3,382 
 
125 3.9 906 4.2 459 4.3 1,379 8.0 232 6.4 
 
3,498 40,700 
9,548 9,369 4,344 
 
3,380 39,133 
9,255 8,798 4,158 
 
118 3.4 1,567 3.9 
293 3.1 571 6.1 186 4.3 
 
3,484 40,182 
9,480 9,475 4,286 
 
3,360 38,765 
9,188 8,784 4,118 
 
124 3.6 1,417 3.5 
292 3.1 691 7.3 168 3.9 
 
3,477 39,774 
9,393 9,848 4,265 
 
3,313 38,126 
9,145 8,752 3,969 
 
164 4.7 1,648 4.1 
248 2.6 1,09611.1 
296 6.9 
 
5,634 13,581 
3,451 9,034 3,050 
 
5,086 13,085 3,286 
8,661 2,936 
 
548 9.7 496 3.7 165 4.8 373 4.1 114 3.7 
 
5,489 13,344 3,399 9,030 2,973 
 
4,982 12,889 
3,245 8,603 2,873 
 
507 9.2 455 3.4 154 4.5 427 4.7 100 3.4 
 
5,723 13,367 3,279 8,943 3,018 
 
4,947 12,703 
3,127 8,519 2,839 
 
77613.6 664 5.0 152 4.6 424 4.7 179 5.9 
 
11, 122 7,858 3,837 7,137 
18,092 
 
10,214 7,280 3,532 6,863 
17,195 
 
908 8.2 578 7.4 305 7.9 274 3.8 897 5.0 
 
10,883 7,753 3,747 6,999 
17,927 
 
10,029 7,234 3,493 6,762 
17, 111 
 
854 7.8 519 6.7 254 6.8 237 3.4 816 4.6 
 
11,338 7,369 3,753 7,094 18,287 
 
10,027 7,001 3,418 6,692 
17,037 
 
1,31111.6 368 5.0 335 8.9 402 5.7 
1,250 6.8 
13 
 
 COUNTY LABOR FORCE ESTIMATES(NOTSEASONALLYADJUSTED) 
PLACE OF RESIDENCE - PERSONS 16_YEARS OLD AND OVER 
 
- .- 
_-_-_ :; 
 
I I I PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 1998 
 
IABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENT 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED JANUARY 1998 
 
I I 
 
IABOR 
 
UNEMPLOYMENTIABOR 
 
FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
REVISED FEBRUARY 1997 
UNEMPLOYMENT FORCE EMPLOYMENT NUMBER RATE 
 
Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding 
 
83,005 27,234 12,765 
5,242 35,011 
 
79,240 25,917 12,527 
5,021 34,241 
 
3,765 4.5 1,317 4.8 
238 1.9 221 4.2 770 2.2 
 
Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk 
 
10,891 9,449 7,437 6,195 15,425 
 
10,352 9,145 7,059 5,963 14,648 
 
539 4.9 304 3.2 378 5.1 232 3.7 777 5.0 
 
Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph 
 
4,416 8,798 1,283 6,998 3,518 
 
4,203 8,460 1,224 6,742 3,127 
 
213 4.8 338 3.8 
59 4.6 256 3.7 391 11.1 
 
Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole 
 
80,786 37,925 
1,791 6,198 4,619 
 
75,360 36,780 
1,700 5,660 4,419 
 
5,426 6.7 1,145 3.0 
91 5.1 538 8.7 200 4.3 
 
Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot 
 
29,909 12,989 2,583 15,643 2,567 
 
28,436 12,366 
2,402 14,384 2,458 
 
1,473 4.9 623 4.8 181 7.0 
1,259 8.0 109 4.2 
 
Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell 
 
648 7,331 3,486 5,034 4,116 
 
603 6,942 3,273 4,736 3,647 
 
45 6.9 389 5.3 213 6.1 298 5.9 469 11.4 
 
Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen 
 
21,073 20,547 12,566 
3,473 2,937 
 
20,272 19,418 11,596 3,223 2,645 
 
801 3.8 1,129 5.p 
970 7.7 250 7.2 292 9.9 
 
Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson 
 
28,646 4,538 4,258 6,970 12,931 
 
27,275 4,085 3,986 6,672 
12,534 
 
1,371 4.8 453 10.0 272 6.4 298 4.3 397 3.1 
 
Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington 
 
30,370 25,638 15,729 
2,741 10,231 
 
28,602 24,803 15,077 
2,501 9,222 
 
1,768 5.8 835 3.3 652 4.1 240 8.8 
1,009 9.9 
 
Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield 
 
11,071 1, 151 2,182 9,378 
46,486 
 
10,230 1,100 1,964 9,027 
44,881 
 
841 7.6 51 4.4 
218 10.0 351 3.7 1,605 3.5 
 
Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth 
 
3,395 5,734 4,646 9,083 
 
3,159 5,372 4,281 8,471 
 
236 7.0 362 6.3 365 7.9 612 6.7 
 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
14 
 
82,556 26,919 12,556 
5,186 34,801 
10,813 9,378 7,334 6,114 
15,298 
4,328 8,641 1,259 6,917 3,395 
80,279 37,641 
1,766 6,067 4,503 
29,342 12,946 2,517 15,453 2,548 
636 7,112 3,400 4,949 4,083 
20,826 20,085 12,454 
3,473 2,827 
28,457 4,481 4,176 6,968 12,818 
29,958 25,406 15,608 
2,716 9,956 
10,912 1,133 2,066 9,234 
46,176 
3,378 5,601 4,488 8,858 
 
78,976 25,718 12,339 4,961 33,977 
 
3,580 4.3 1,201 4.5 
217 1.7 225 4.3 824 2.4 
 
10,304 9,075 6,952 5,922 14,575 
 
509 4.7 303 3.2 382 5.2 192 3.1 723 4.7 
 
4,150 8,383 1,212 6,701 3,082 
 
178 4.1 258 3.0 
47 3.7 216 3.1 313 9.2 
 
75,243 36,496 
1,685 5,581 4,325 
 
5,036 6.3 1,145 3.0 
81 4.6 486 8.0 178 4.0 
 
28,217 12,285 2,375 14,232 2,437 
 
1,125 3.8 661 5.1 142 5.6 
1,221 7.9 111 4.4 
 
591 6,780 3,225 4,671 3,580 
 
45 7.1 332 4.7 175 5.1 278 5.6 503 12.3 
 
20,060 19,158 11,468 3,198 2,616 
 
766 3.7 927 4.6 986 7.9 275 7.9 211 7.5 
 
27,117 4,007 3,968 6,586 12,455 
 
1,340 4.7 474 10.6 208 5.0 382 5.5 363 2.8 
 
28,533 24,612 14,968 
2,474 9,133 
 
1,425 4.8 794 3.1 640 4.1 242 8.9 823 8.3 
 
10,149 1,078 1,936 8,947 
44,614 
 
763 7.0 55 4.9 130 6.3 
287 3.1 1,562 3.4 
 
3,110 5,324 4,251 8,310 
 
268 7.9 277 4.9 237 5.3 548 6.2 
 
82,192 26,228 12,435 
5,140 34,146 
10,736 9,237 7,404 6,000 15,473 
4,319 8,815 1,272 6,864 3,441 
81,033 36,690 
1,778 6,439 4,566 
28,996 12,859 2,547 15,333 2,599 
638 7,233 3,480 4,918 4,007 
20,877 20,713 12,547 
3,610 2,762 
28,153 4,468 4,065 6,957 12,810 
30,454 25,503 15,576 
2,759 9,509 
10,845 1,121 2,143 9,328 
46,710 
3,564 5,645 4,459 9,470 
 
78,154 25,085 12, 161 4,881 33, 141 
10,136 8,851 6,956 5,787 14,452 
4,098 8,282 1,189 6,549 3,047 
74,966 35,598 
1,650 5,613 4,331 
27,523 11,990 2,363 14,035 2,410 
582 6,825 3,184 4,558 3,570 
19,877 18,906 11,219 
3,120 2,559 
26,532 3,962 3,903 6,448 
12,210 
28,540 24,006 14,720 
2,452 8,979 
9,907 1,057 1,890 8,854 44,194 
3,072 5,256 4,222 8,180 
 
4,038 4.9 1,143 4.4 
274 2.2 259 5.0 1,005 2.9 
600 5.6 386 4.2 448 6.1 213 3.6 1,021 6.6 
221 5.1 533 6.0 
83 6.5 315 4.6 39411.5 
6,067 7.5 1,092 3.0 
128 7.2 82612.8 235 5.1 
1,473 5.1 869 6.8 184 7.2 
1,298 8.5 189 7.3 
56 8.8 408 5.6 296 8.5 360 7.3 43710.9 
1,000 4.8 1,807 8.7 1,32810.6 
49013.6 203 7.3 
1,621 5.8 50611.3 162 4.0 509 7.3 600 4.7 
1,914 6.3 1,497 5.9 
856 5.5 30711.1 530 5.6 
938 8.6 64 5.7 
25311.8 474 5.1 2,516 5.4 
49213.8 389 6.9 237 5.3 1,29013.6 
 
 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE STATISTICS 
 
Weekly unemployment insurance initial claims 
 
Weekly unemployment insurance claims* 
 
 
 
through February28, 1998 
 
through February 28, 1998 
 
35~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
100~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------. 
 
-1997 !Sl1998 
 
-1997 i;s:i 1998 
 
30 80 
 
25 
 
80 
 
40 
 
20 
 
Jan Feb Mar 
 
Apr May 
 
Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug Sep Oct Nov 
 
Dec 
 
Week ending 02/28/98: 5,259 (Initial Claims) 
 
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 
 
Jul 
 
Aug Sep Oct 
 
Nov Dec 
 
Week ending 02/28/98: 35,013 *These figures reflect continued weeks claimed and not individuals. 
 
Seasonal layoffs end ... 
 
 The seasonal drop in initial claims from January to February occurs every year as short-term scheduled layoffs end. This event has little to do with the health ofthe economy. After the holiday season, the demand for manufactured goods and extra retail help decreases causing new claims to rise substantially.By February the scheduled manufacturing layoffs are over and many part-time workers have found other employment resulting in a large drop in initial claims activity. This year, new claims dropped 46.9 percent; but in comparison to last February, new claims were up 3.7 percent. (See graph at bottom ofpage). 
 
benefits forthe twelve-month period ending February 1998 declined to 9.2 weeks, its lowest level since March 1996. 
 In February, first payments declined almost 50 percent, dropping from 32,554 to 17,270; while over 7,600 beneficiaries exhausted their benefits. During calendar year 1997, first payments ranged from a high of 39,338 in January to a low of 10,507 in November with a monthly average of 15,026. Likewise, final payments (exhaustees) for calendar year 1997 ranged from a high of 5,232inJuly to a lowof3,163 in October with an averageof3,957. 
 
 Over 29,000 fewer beneficiaries received UI payments in February than January with an average weekly benefit amount of $158.32, over $6.00 more than last month. The January average weekly benefit amount was lower since seasonal workers tend to qualify for lower-than-average benefits. The average duration of 
 
 Over $3 million less in benefits were paid in February compared to last year; while the month-to-month decline was $4.8 million, or 18.6 percent. Weeks paid for the same time periods dropped 14.4 percent and 21.9 percent, respectively. The average monthly amount paid in benefits during the last twelve months was $21.2 million. 
 
Decrease in new claims filed from January to February 
 
100,000 
 
~January DFebruary 
 
80,000 
 
60,000 
 
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 
 
Years 
 
15 
 
 STATE OF GEORGIA - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR LABOR MARKET INFORMATION 
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1751 
OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE - $300 
 
 . \:Tr\ 
Ll.OO.t4b 
Pl T7 
2A{l 
 
FEBRUARY 1998 DATA 
 
Growth Diversifies 
 
VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 2 
 
T he state added 18,200 jobs in February, mostly in the services division. Government and construction also gained, while employment in manu- 
 
The construction division gained 1,900 jobs, almost all in special trades. An unusually warm February may have contributed to an increase in minor repairs and remodeling. Work on major projects 
 
facturing and trade fell. Over the year, the will be postponed until spring. For the 
 
state's payrolls have grown by 134,600, year, the division's employment has risen 
 
with services again adding the most jobs. by 13,400, with the proportion of jobs in 
 
Employment in every industry division has general building construction and special 
 
increased significantly, however, providing contracting staying virtually equal. Road 
 
considerable diversity to the state's growth. and sewer construction has also increased 
 
The mining division gained 100 jobs substantially over the year. This sector 
 
in February, recouping its loss from the once was thought to be vulnerable to a 
 
previous month. The division has added 500 cut-off of federal transportation funds due 
 
jobs over the last year, a notable increase to ongoing violations of the Clean Air Act 
 
for this industry. Mining in Georgia cen- in the Atlanta metro area. Now it seems 
 
ters on kaolin, which is used in paper pro- that growth will merely shift to more dis- 
 
cessing, and the demand for paper has tant counties, increasing both traffic and 
 
risen. 
 
Continued on page 2 
 
HIGHLIGHTS 
,/ All metro areas gain employment over the year 
,/ Metro areas grow at 3.9% over the year; non-metro, 3. 7% 
,/ Georgia's unemployment rate edges up to 4.1% 
,/ Georgia's unemployment rate remains below the U.S. rate 
 
Georgia Department of Labor 
 
Marti Fullerton, Commissioner 
 
148 INrERNATIONAL BLVD., N.E. + ATI.ANI'A. GEORGIA 30303-1751 + 404-656-3177 
 
 GEORGIA LABOR MARKET TRENDS 
 
- 
 
Growth diversifies 
 
Continued from page 1 
congestion. Employment in the manufacturing 
division dropped by 900 in February, as a broad-based but moderate increase in durable goods was wiped out by yet another loss in nondurable goods. Employment in textile manufacturing fell by 1,600, almost completely due to a temporary shutdown at a single large mill. Losses in apparel employment moderated slightly, while the other nondurable sectors experienced little or no change. For the year, the division has gained 1,900 jobs, with a loss of 6,600 in nondurable goods manufacturing partially offsetting a gain of 8,500 in durables. The nondurable losses are concentrated in textiles and apparel, with the latter suffering another doubledigit percentage decline. Paper and allied products have added 900 jobs over the year, while chemicals have gained 500. The durable goods sector leading in annual employment growth is transportation equipment, with strong increases in both aircraft and motor vehicles; however, every sector of durable goods manufacturing except lumber and wood products and instruments has experienced solid growth over the year. 
The transportation, communications and public utilities division added 900 jobs due to the continuing strength of the transportation sector, as both communications and utilities were virtually unchanged. The growth in transportation was centered once again in trucking and warehousing and transportation by air; other transportation, which includes the volatile water transportation sector, was down slightly for the month. Over the year, the division has gained 11,200 jobs, 8,200 of them in transportation. Trucking and warehousing and transportation by air have both increased at about 6 percent annually, compared to the division's growth rate of 5 percent. Telephone communications have a 2 percent annual growth rate, while non-telephone communications have expanded at over 10 per- 
 
cent annually due to rapid growth in cable and satellite television. 
The trade division experienced a seasonal February decline of 2,800 jobs. Retail trade employment fell 4,300, driven by a 5,900 loss in general department stores. Apparel and home furnishings stores also lost jobs; the other retail sectors were up only slightly except for eating and drinking establishments, which gained 2,700 jobs. Wholesale trade of durable goods continued to perform strongly, adding 1,200 jobs. Over the year, the division's employment has increased by 31,200, 18,800 in retail and 12,400 in wholesale. The gain in wholesale employment has been sparked by the trade of durable goods, which has expanded at an almost 7 percent rate since last February. Retail trade employment continues to grow at a rate below that of most other divisions, held back by modest growth in eating and drinking establishments, almost no growth in general merchandise stores and a loss in apparel stores. 
Activity in the finance, insurance and real estate division was subdued in February, as very few of its component sectors showed much change. Finance was flat, with growth in non-depository institutions and brokers and other securities dealers offset by a loss in depository institutions. Insurance rose only slightly, while real estate was unchanged. For the year, the division has gained 8,600 jobs, with both finance and real estate growing at close to 6 percent and insurance trailing at 2.5 percent. Within finance, most of the new jobs have been in non-depository institutions and securities dealers; these two industries combined are growing at a rate of over 9 percent annually. 
The services division contributed 15,200 jobs or well over 80 percent of February's total employment rise, with almost all of its component sectors gaining jobs. The sector leading in growth for the month was personnel supply services, 
 
rebounding strongly from its decline in January. Other sectors with large monthly gains were miscellaneous business services, primarily guard and security services; amusement and recreation services, a seasonal rise; engineering, accounting, research and management services; and personal services. Both of the latter increases are related to income tax preparation. The division has added 55,500 jobs during the last year, over 40 percent of the statewide total. The sector with the largest over-the-year gain is personnel supply services, as the trend of using temporary workers shows no signs of abating. All other components of the business services sector have also grown strongly over the last year, as have engineering and the other professional services; social services, which includes job training, day care, and residential care; parking and other automobile services; and hotels and other lodging places. 
Employment in the government division rose by 3,700 in February, with increases at all three levels. The federal government gained 1,100 jobs, about half in a defense-related buildup associated with activities in the Persian Gulf and most of the remainder at the Treasury Department as it began to process income tax returns. State government added 2, 100 jobs, over 85 percent in education. Local education fe11 slightly, but other local government rose enough to offset the loss. Over the year, public sector employment has risen by 12,300. Employment at the federal level has decreased everywhere except the Postal Service. State government outside of education is also down due to new technologies and continued privatization. Local government has increased its employment by 3 percent over the last year, about a percentage point faster than the latest estimates of population growth. The school-age population may be increasing slightly faster than the population as a whole. 
 
Produced by the Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics 
2 
 
 i' 
 
:; 
 
~ INDUSTRV~T'RENDS 
 
 
 
~ :. 
 
~ 
 
Total nonagricultural employment 
Georgia 
Thousands 
3,800 
 
~ 
 
~ 
 
3,700 
 
3,600 
 
3,500 
 
3,400 
 
3,300 
 
JFMAMJJASONDJFMAMJJASONDJF 
 
199s 
 
I 
 
1997 
 
l199a 
 
Employment by industry 
 
Thousands 60.0 
 
Over-the-year change February 1998 
 
55.5 
 
50.0 
 
40.0 
 
30.0 
 
20.0 
 
"10.0 
 
0.0 
 
Transportation, Construction Manufacturing communications 
& public utilities 
 
Wholesale & retail trade 
 
Finance, insurance & real estate 
 
Services 
 
Government 
 
3 
 
 GEORG IA NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ....................................... . GO<?d.s producing industries .......................................... . Mining .......................................................... . Contract construction .............................................. . Manufacturing .................................................... . Durable goods .................................................. . Lumber and wood products ...................................... . Logging camps, sawmills and planing mills ......................... . Furniture and fixtures ........................................... . Household furniture ........................................... . Stone, clay and glass products ................................... . Primary metal industries ......................................... . Fabricated metal products ....................................... . Industrial machinery, except electric ............................... . Electric and electronic equipment ................................. . Transportation equipment ........................................ . Other durable goods ............................................ . Nondurable goods ............................................... . Food and kindred products ...................................... . Meat products ................................................ . Bakery products ................................ ; ............. . Textile mill products ............................................ . Weaving mills, cotton .......................................... . Weaving mills, synthetic ........................................ . Knitting mills ................................................. . Floor covering mills ........................................... . Yarn and thread mills .......................................... . Apparel and other finished textiles ................................. . Men's and boys' clothing ....................................... . Women's and children's clothing ................................. . Paper and allied products ........................................ . Pulp, paper and paperboard mills ................................ . Paperboard containers and boxes ............................... . Printing and publishing .......................................... . Commercial printing ........................................... . Chemicals and allied products .................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ......................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ........ . Transportation .................................................. . Communications (except U.S. Postal Service) ......................... . Electric, gas and sanitary services .................................. . Wholesale and retail trade .......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................. . 
Wholesale trade-durable goods ................................... . Wholesale trade-nondurable goods ................................ . Retail trade ..................................................... . General merchandise ........................................... . Eating and drinking ............................................. . Finance, insurance and real estate ................................... . Finance ........................................................ . Insurance carriers, agents and brokers .............................. . Real estate ..................................................... . Services ........................................................ . Hot~ls and oth~r lodging places .................................... . Business services ............................................... . Health services ................................................. . Private hospitals ............................................... . Other services .................................................. . Amusement and recreation ...................................... . Government ..................................................... . Federal ........................................................ . Defense ...................................................... . Other federal (including U.S. Postal Service) ........................ . State .......................................................... . State education ................................................ . Other state ................................................... . Local .......................................................... . Local education ................................................ . Other local .................................................... . 
 
3,673.7 769.2 8.2 173.3 587.7 251.0 40.6 13.4 11.3 5.8 21.3 14.5 25.5 37.6 34.9 48.0 17.3 336.7 69.2 35.0 8.9 104.8 15.6 9.5 6.3 40.6 18.2 31.9 12.7 8.6 35.0 13.9 8.9 43.4 17.2 21.8 30.6 
2,904.5 235.5 144.0 
67.3 24.2 918.9 249.4 162.5 86.9 
669.5 81.0 
241.0 191.2 
91.2 62.0 38.0 970.0 44.5 278.9 230.2 90.7 416.4 29.2 588.9 93.9 27.8 66.1 150.0 67.1 82.9 345.0 203.6 141.4 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) 
JAN 1998 
3,655.5 768.1 8.1 171.4 588.6 250.2 40.4 13.3 11.4 5.8 21.3 14.5 25.3 37.3 34.8 47.9 17.3 338.4 69.2 34.8 9.0 106.4 15.6 9.6 6.2 40.5 18.2 32.4 13.1 8.9 34.8 14.0 8.7 43.4 17.3 21.6 30.6 
2,887.4 234.6 143.0 67.4 24.2 921.7 247.9 161.3 86.6 673.8 86.9 238.3 191.1 91.2 61.9 38.0 954.8 44.1 273.2 229.2 90.6 408.3 27.3 585.2 92.8 27.3 65.5 147.9 65.3 82.6 344.5 203.8 140.7 
 
CURRENT 
MONTH YEAR AGO 
FEB1997 
3,539.1 753.4 7.7 159.9 585.8 242.5 40.5 13.6 10.6 5.3 20.4 13.9 24.4 36.4 33.9 45.2 17.2 343.3 69.2 35.3 9.0 108.4 16.1 9.1 7.1 41.4 17.8 36.5 14.8 11.2 34.1 13.7 8.6 43.5 17.6 21.3 30.3 
2,785.7 224.3 135.8 64.9 23.6 887.7 237.0 152.3 84.7 650.7 80.3 234.0 182.6 86.2 60.5 35.9 914.5 42.1 253.6 225.8 88.1 393.0 27.8 576.6 94.4 28.4 66.0 147.3 62.4 84.9 334.9 197.5 137.4 
 
- NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+18.2 +1.1 +.1 +1.9 -.9 +.8 +.2 +.1 -.1 
+.O +.O +.O +.2 +.3 +.1 +.1 +.O -1.7 
+.O +.2 -.1 -1.6 
+.O -.1 +.1 +.1 +.O -.5 -.4 -.3 +.2 -.1 +.2 +.O -.1 
+.2 +.O +17.1 +.9 +1.0 -.1 
+.O -2.8 +1.5 +1.2 +.3 -4.3 -5.9 +2.7 +.1 +.O +.1 +.O +15.2 +.4 +5.7 +1.0 +.1 +8.1 +1.9 +3.7 +1.1 +.5 +.6 +2.1 +1.8 +.3 +.5 -.2 
+.7 
 
+134.6 +15.8 +.5 +13.4 +1.9 +8.5 +.1 -.2 +.7 +.5 +.9 +.6 +1.1 +1.2 +1.0 +2.8 +.1 -6.6 +.O -.3 -.1 -3.6 -.5 
+.4 -.8 -.8 +.4 -4.6 -2.1 -2.6 +.9 +.2 +.3 -.1 -.4 
+.5 +.3 +118.8 +11.2 +8.2 +2.4 +.6 +31.2 +12.4 +10.2 +2.2 
+18.8 +.7 
+7.0 +8.6 +5.0 +1.5 +2.1 +55.5 +2.4 +25.3 +4.4 +2.6 +23.4 +1.4 +12.3 
-.5 -.6 +.1 +2.7 +4.7 -2.0 +10.1 +6.1 +4.0 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers throughout Georgia. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
4 
 
 - ~,,,. 
 
~ 
 
, 
 
'- - 
 
: GECJRGIA HOURS-AND EARNINGS 
 
;;;:: ~ ~~=~ " , - - , - 
 
- 
 
- 
 
-AVERAGEWEEKLYEARNINGS- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRE LIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
Total manufacturing ........................ $495.46 
 
Durable goods ........................... $524.56 
 
Lumber and wood products ............... $392.03 
 
Furniture and fixtures .................... $403.01 
 
Stone, clay and glass products ............ $611.48 
 
Primary metal industries .................. 
Fabricated metal products ................ 
 
$588.24 $448.98 
 
Industrial machinery ..................... 
Electric and electronic equipment .......... 
 
$489.30 $487.53 
 
Transportation equipment ................. $793.58 
 
Nondurable goods ........................ 
Food and kindred products ............... Textile mill products ..................... 
 
$473.41 $422.92 $439.72 
 
Weaving mills, cotton ................... $418.31 
 
Weaving mills, synthetic ................ 
Knitting mills .......................... Floor covering mills .................... Yarn and thread mills ................... 
 
$486.02 $388.96 $458.85 $439.07 
 
Apparel and other finished textiles .......... $268.52 
 
Men's and boys' clothing ................ $241.09 
 
Women's and children's clothing .......... $284.28 
 
Paper and allied products ................. 
Pulp, paper and paperboard mills ......... 
 
$726.34 $993.47 
 
Chemicals and allied products ............. $656.07 
 
$500.22 $530.44 $410.46 $413.65 $577.28 $601.22 $460.71 $466.62 $492.88 $821.92 $479.39 $430.31 $443.08 $431.96 $489.19 $373.67 $462.44 $437.65 $282.22 $265.72 $290.24 $720.59 $938.91 $663.92 
 
$483.11 $534.53 $390.00 $386.80 $520.80 $521.79 $442.98 $488.35 $543.44 $887.59 $446.61 $388.00 $416.90 $403.60 $526.36 $377.58 $412.59 $416.58 $270.84 $247.45 $291.08 $691.96 $930.23 $632.03 
 
-AVERAGE WEEKLY HOURS - 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRE LIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
41.6 42.0 41.9 41.5 41.8 42.9 38.7 40.4 39.0 40.1 41.2 40.0 46.5 43.8 42.0 45.6 46.0 42.7 42.0 43.3 41.4 
42.0 40.4 42.8 40.9 40.7 45.4 43.2 44.5 47.9 41.6 42.2 41.2 
41.1 41.9 40.0 
42.2 42.4 41.4 
40.3 41.1 40.4 
40.3 40.8 43.9 41.6 39.5 40.6 43.7 44.0 41.3 
42.3 41.8 41.7 35.1 36.7 36.6 33.3 36.4 35.0 36.4 36.6 38.0 46.0 46.4 46.1 49.5 47.3 48.5 42.3 43.0 43.8 
 
- 
 
- 
 
-' - ~-AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIM) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH (REV) JAN 1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
$11.91 $12.64 $10.13 $10.05 $13.15 $12.90 $10.69 $11.65 $11.92 $18.37 $11.38 $10.29 $10.42 $10.38 $12.06 $9.35 $10.50 $10.38 $7.65 $7.24 $7.81 $15.79 $20.07 $15.51 
 
$11.91 $12.69 $10.16 $10.04 $13.18 $13.07 $10.64 $11.55 $12.11 $18.47 $11.36 $10.27 $10.45 $10.51 $11.99 $9.46 $10.51 $10.47 $7.69 $7.30 $7.93 $15.53 $19.85 $15.44 
 
$11.53 $12.46 $10.00 
$9.67 $12.40 $12.22 $10.70 $11.41 $11.97 $18.53 $10.84 
$9.70 $10.07 
$9.99 $11.99 
$9.30 $9.99 $9.99 $7.40 $7.07 $7.66 $15.01 $19.18 $14.43 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data exclude supervisory, sales, clerical and other office personnel. Average earnings are computed on a "grossn basis, reflecting changes in basic hourly and incentive wage rates, as well as any premium pay for overtime and late shift work. 
 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
GEORGIA AVERAGE WEEKLY HOURS 
 
Manufacturing production workers 
 
44.0 
 
43.7 
 
43.0 
 
42.0 41.0 . 
 
40.0 
 
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb* 
 
1997 
 
I 199a 
 
*Preliminary estimate 
 
5 
 
 ATLANTA N~~AGRICULTUR~L EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S). . 
 
. . . :'. _.- '. ., . 
 
- 
 
' 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Mining ........................................................ . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Lumber and wood products ..................................... . Stone, clay and glass products .................................. . Primary metal industries ........................................ . Fabricated metal products ...................................... . Industrial machinery, except electrical ............................. . Electric and electronic equipment ................................. . Transportation equipment ....................................... . Other durable goods ........................................... . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textile mill products ............................................ . Apparel and other finished textiles ................................ . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Printing and publishing ......................................... . Commercial printing .......................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Transportation ................................................. . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Wholesale trade-durable goods .................................. . Wholesale trade-nondurable goods ............................... . Retail trade .................................................... . Eating and drinking ............................................ . Miscellaneous retail ............................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Finance ....................................................... . Insurance carriers, agents and brokers ............................. . Real estate .................................................... . Services ....................................................... . Hotels and other lodging places ................................... . Business services .............................................. . Health services ................................................ . Private hospitals .............................................. . Other services ................................................. . Amusement and recreation ..................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State Local ........................................................ . 
 
1,999.0 319.5 1.7 97.3 220.5 110.4 7.7 9.2 8.5 11.7 15.2 18.9 23.0 16.2 110.1 23.5 12.7 7.7 13.4 28.3 11.2 10.4 14.1 
1,679.5 168.3 103.7 524.4 168.5 118.7 49.8 355.9 127.2 39.7 131.0 60.5 46.1 24.4 597.1 26.5 198.9 113.6 44.8 258.0 26.0 258.7 47.1 55.0 156.6 
 
1,985.9 318.8 1.7 96.7 220.4 110.5 7.6 9.2 8.5 11.7 15.4 18.9 23.0 16.2 109.9 23.6 12.6 7.7 13.5 28.2 11.2 10.4 13.9 
1,667.1 167.4 102.8 525.8 167.9 118.4 49.5 357.9 125.5 40.1 130.6 60.4 45.9 24.3 587.0 26.3 194.5 113.2 44.5 253.0 25.0 256.3 46.0 54.0 156.3 
 
1,914.5 307.7 1.6 89.0 217.1 107.6 7.5 8.7 8.3 11.2 15.5 18.5 21.9 16.0 109.5 23.2 12.4 9.1 13.2 27.9 11.2 10.1 13.6 
1,606.8 160.3 96.6 507.2 158.7 110.5 48.2 348.5 125.2 40.2 124.1 56.4 44.1 23.6 559.8 24.9 180.8 110.6 43.5 243.5 25.5 255.4 48.0 53.8 153.6 
 
+13.1 +.7 +.O +.6 +.1 -.1 +.1 +.O +.O +.O -.2 +.O +.O +.O +.2 -.1 +.1 +.O -.1 +.1 +.O +.O +.2 
+12.4 +.9 +.9 -1.4 +.6 +.3 +.3 -2.0 
+1.7 -.4 +.4 +.1 +.2 +.1 
+10.1 +.2 
+4.4 +.4 +.3 
+5.0 +1.0 +2.4 +1.1 +1.0 +.3 
 
+84.5 +11.8 
+.1 +8.3 +3.4 +2.8 
+.2 +.5 +.2 +.5 -.3 +.4 +1.1 +.2 +.6 +.3 +.3 -1.4 +.2 +.4 +.O +.3 +.5 +72.7 +8.0 +7.1 +17.2 +9.8 +8.2 +1.6 +7.4 +2.0 -.5 +6.9 +4.1 +2.0 +.8 +37.3 +1.6 +18.1 +3.0 +1.3 +14.5 +.5 +3.3 -.9 +1.2 +3.0 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
6 
 
 ALBANY NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Mining ......................................................... . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textiles and apparel products ................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
59.2 
 
59.4 
 
58.7 
 
12.3 
 
12.5 
 
12.4 
 
.0 
 
.0 
 
.0 
 
3.6 
 
3.6 
 
3.4 
 
8.7 
 
8.9 
 
9.0 
 
1.9 
 
2.0 
 
2.0 
 
6.8 
 
6.9 
 
7.0 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
2.1 
 
1.0 
 
1.0 
 
.9 
 
.6 
 
.6 
 
.6 
 
3.4 
 
3.5 
 
3.4 
 
46.9 
 
46.9 
 
46.3 
 
3.1 
 
3.1 
 
2.9 
 
14.1 
 
14.0 
 
13.6 
 
3.2 
 
3.2 
 
3.2 
 
10.9 
 
10.8 
 
10.4 
 
2.1 
 
2.1 
 
2.2 
 
15.0 
 
15.1 
 
14.8 
 
12.6 
 
12.6 
 
12.8 
 
2.9 
 
2.9 
 
3.0 
 
9.7 
 
9.7 
 
9.8 
 
-.2 
 
+.5 
 
-.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
-.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Albany Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Dougherty and Lee counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
ATHENS NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS - 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . Goods producing industries ......................................... . Construction and mining ........................................... . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Textiles and apparel products ................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate ....................... , .......... . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
73.5 
 
72.9 
 
70.9 
 
14.0 
 
14.0 
 
13.9 
 
2.5 
 
2.5 
 
2.4 
 
11.5 
 
11.5 
 
11.5 
 
5.1 
 
5.2 
 
5.1 
 
6.4 
 
6.3 
 
6.4 
 
3.2 
 
3.1 
 
3.2 
 
1.5 
 
1.5 
 
1.5 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
59.5 
 
58.9 
 
57.0 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
1.8 
 
18.1 
 
17.9 
 
17.9 
 
2.7 
 
2.8 
 
2.9 
 
15.4 
 
15.1 
 
15.0 
 
2.2 
 
2.2 
 
2.2 
 
15.1 
 
15.0 
 
14.7 
 
22.3 
 
22.0 
 
20.4 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
1.7 
 
20.6 
 
20.3 
 
18.7 
 
+.6 
 
+2.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+2.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
-.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.3 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.4 
 
+.3 
 
.+1.9 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+1.9 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Athens Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Clarke, Madison and Oconee counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
7 
 
  ' 
 
~ 
 
., 
 
" - 
 
" 
 
, 
 
0 
 
AWGUS4A--.:J~.IKEN NONAGRICULTURALEMPLOYMENT(OOO'S) 
 
 -~ 
 
- 
 
' - 
 
- 
 
- - ':::_ - 
 
- 
 
~ 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment .................................. . Go~d.s producing industries ..................................... . Mining ..................................................... . Contract construction ......................................... . Manufacturing ............................................... . Durable goods ............................................. . Lumber and wood products ................................. . Stone, clay and glass products .............................. . Other durable goods ....................................... . Nondurable goods .......................................... . Food and kindred products ................................. . Textile mill products ........................................ . Apparel and other finished textiies ............................ . Printing and publishing ..................................... . Other nondurable goods .................................... . Service producing industries .................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ... . Who!esaie and retail trade ..................................... . Wholesale trade ............................................ . Retail trade ................................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .............................. . Services ................................................... . Government ................................................ . Federal ................................................... . State and local ............................................. . 
 
193.5 53.2 
.4 
11.1 41.7 11.2 
1.2 3.0 7.0 30.5 2.4 6.2 2.6 1.6 17.7 140.3 6.7 41.9 4.9 37.0 6.1 45.9 39.7 7.1 32.6 
 
193.6 53.2 
.4 
10.8 42.0 11.3 
1.2 3.0 7.1 30.7 2.4 6.2 2.6 1.7 17.8 140.4 6.7 41.9 4.9 37.0 6.1 45.9 39.8 7.2 32.6 
 
- 
 
,- 
 
- - --,i""!-, 
 
. 
,,, 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-: 
~ _::.. 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
190.8 52.7 .4 
11.2 41.1 11.0 
1.2 2.9 6.9 30.1 2.1 6.3 2.9 1.6 17.2 138.1 6.3 41.1 4.8 36.3 6.0 44.9 39.8 7.4 32.4 
 
-.1 
 
+2.7 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.3 
 
+.6 
 
-.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.5 
 
-.1 
 
+2.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.7 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+1.0 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
COLU-MBUS - 
 
NONAGRICULTURALEMPLOYMENT(OOO'S) 
 
. 
 
- 
 
-"( 
 
...... 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment .................................. . Goods producing industries ..................................... . Construction and mining ....................................... . Manufacturing ............................................... . Durable goods ............................................. . Nondurable goods .......................................... . Food and kindred products ................................. . Textile mill products ........................................ . Printing and publishing ..................................... . Other nondurable goods .................................... . Service producing industries .................................... . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ... . Wholesale and retail trade ..................................... . Wholesale trade ............................................ . Retail trade ................................................ . Finance, insurance and real estate .............................. . Services ................................................... . Government ................................................ . Federal ................................................... . State and local ............................................. . 
 
116.1 27.2 
5.4 21.8 
9.7 12.1 3.1 5.5 1.3 2.2 88.9 4.2 26.0 3.8 22.2 8.2 30.0 20.5 5.3 15.2 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN1998 
115.9 26.9 
5.3 21.6 
9.5 12.1 3.1 5.5 
1.3 2.2 89.0 4.2 26.2 3.9 22.3 8.1 29.9 20.6 5.4 15.2 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
113.5 27.0 
5.2 21.8 
9.0 12.8 3.3 5.9 1.3 2.3 86.5 4.0 25.3 3.8 21.5 7.9 28.7 20.6 5.4 15.2 
 
. 
 
. ' 
 
. 
 
. 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+.2 
 
+2.6 
 
+.3 
 
+.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.7 
 
+.O 
 
-.7 
 
+.O 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+2.4 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
+.7 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.7 
 
+.1 
 
+.3 
 
+.1 
 
+1.3 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Chattahoochee, Harris and Muscogee counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 8 
 
 rm~GON -~ON.AG_RICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
- ~~- 
 
~ 
 
_....,__ 
 
-- 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . GoC?d.s producing industries ......................................... . Mining ......................................................... . Contract construction ............................................. . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ...................................... . Textile mill products ............................................ . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade ................................................ . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
150.6 28.2 
1.3 6.5 20.4 9.5 10.9 2.8 1.4 1.5 5.2 122.4 5.3 34.1 5.1 29.0 8.9 40.8 33.3 12.9 20.4 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
150.2 28.2 1.3 6.5 20.4 9.5 10.9 2.8 1.4 1.5 5.2 
122.0 5.3 
34.2 5.1 
29.1 8.9 
40.4 33.2 12.7 20.5 
 
. 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
146.0 27.4 1.1 6.2 20.1 9.1 11.0 2.9 1.5 1.5 5.1 
118.6 5.3 
33.8 4.9 28.9 8.2 38.2 33.1 13.1 
20.0 
 
- 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
+.4 
 
+4.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.4 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.4 
 
+3.8 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
-.1 
 
+.3 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.7 
 
+.4 
 
+2.6 
 
+.1 
 
+.2 
 
+.2 
 
-.2 
 
-.1 
 
+.4 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bibb, Houston, Jones, Peach and Twiggs counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
 
SAVANNAH NONAGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT (OOO'S) 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
(PRELIMINARY) FEB1998 
 
Total nonagricultural employment ...................................... . 
Goods producing industries ......................................... . Construction and mining ........................................... . Manufacturing ................................................... . Durable goods ................................................. . Lumber and wood products ..................................... . Transportation equipment ....................................... . Other durable goods ........................................... . Nondurable goods .............................................. . Food and kindred products ..................................... . Paper and allied products ....................................... . Chemicals and allied products ................................... . Petroleum and coal products .................................... . Other nondurable goods ........................................ . 
Service producing industries ........................................ . Transportation, communications and public utilities (except U.S.P.S.) ....... . Wholesale and retail trade ......................................... . Wholesale trade .................... : ........................... . Retail trade .................................................... . Finance, insurance and real estate .................................. . Services ....................................................... . Government .................................................... . Federal ....................................................... . State and local ................................................. . 
 
133.0 25.7 
7.4 18.3 8.5 
.9 5.7 1.9 9.8 1.9 5.0 1.6 
.3 1.0 107.3 9.4 33.4 5.4 28.0 4.4 39.2 20.9 2.8 18.1 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
(REVISED) JAN 1998 
133.1 25.8 
7.6 18.2 
8.5 .9 
5.7 1.9 9.7 1.8 5.0 1.6 .3 1.0 107.3 9.6 33.8 5.3 28.5 4.4 38.7 20.8 2.8 18.0 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO FEB1997 
 
-NET CHANGE IN JOBS- 
 
PREVIOUS MONTH 
 
CURRENT MONTH 
YEAR AGO 
 
129.3 24.2 
7.0 17.2 7.9 
.9 5.2 1.8 9.3 1.8 4.8 1.4 
.3 1.0 105.1 9.4 32.2 5.3 26.9 4.4 38.0 21.1 3.1 18.0 
 
-.1 
 
+3.7 
 
-.1 
 
+1.5 
 
-.2 
 
+.4 
 
+.1 
 
+1.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.6 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+.O 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.5 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.2 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+2.2 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.4 
 
+1.2 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
-.5 
 
+1.1 
 
+.O 
 
+.O 
 
+.5 
 
+1.2 
 
+.1 
 
-.2 
 
+.O 
 
-.3 
 
+.1 
 
+.1 
 
NOTE: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Bryan, Chatham and Effingham counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 1997 benchmark. 
SOURCE: Georgia Department of Labor, Labor Market Information 
9