Dimensions: measuring Georgia's workforce, Vol. 30, no. 10 (Oct. 2004)

October 2004 Data
Highlights
Georgia adds over 12,000 jobs... ...Page 2
Total nonfarm employment in Georgia increased by 12,300 jobs in October.
Unemployment continues to trend downward....................Page 8
Georgia's jobless rate continued to compare favorably with the nation as a whole and in the Southeast region.
Only two MSAs and seventy-nine counties followed the statewide downward trend in October.
Number of separated workers affected by employer initiated mass layoffs up over the month.
New Developments.................. Page 14
Initial claims down for third consecutive month... ................ Page 17
Initial claims have declined by over 8,000 since July.
WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team .................. Page 19

Volume XXX, Number 10
Data Tables
3 Georgia Nonagricultural Employment 4 Atlanta Nonagricultural Employment 5 Albany & Athens Nonagricultural Employment 6 Augusta-Aiken & Columbus Nonagricultural
Employment 7 Macon & Savannah Nonagricultural Employment 9 Georgia, Metro Areas & U.S. Labor Force
Estimates 10 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County 15 Georgia Unemployment Rates by County 16 Georgia Unemployment Insurance Claims
by County
Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner Georgia Department of Labor Workforce Information & Analysis
148 Andrew Young International Blvd., N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404) 232-3875 Fax (404) 232-3888
Workforce_Info@dol.state.ga.us
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary Aids and Services Available upon
Request to Individuals with Disabilities

October Employment Situation

In October, total nonfarm employment increased by 12,300 jobs in Georgia. The month's job gains places Georgia third among states in the southern region in job creation (data not seasonally adjusted). The sectors across Georgia experiencing the largest gain in jobs include Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Government, and Professional & Business Services. The Manufacturing and Leisure & Hospitality sectors endured the greatest job losses for the month.

South region -- Job change by state
October 2004

50,000

47,200

40,000 30,000

29,400

20,000 8,800
10,000
0 AL
-10,000

12,300
7,900 4,100

8,400

FL GA KY MS NC SC TN -3,400
Note: Data not seasonally adjusted Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Construction jobs were up 800 for the month and 1,200 for the year. Construction of Buildings and Heavy & Civil Engineering both lost jobs this month, whereas, the Specialty Trade Contractor industry gained 1,500 workers.
The Manufacturing sector lost 2,400 jobs in October. This is the second consecutive, and fourth out of five, months that the sector has lost employment. Both Durable Goods and Non-Durable Goods dropped jobs. Durable Goods employment was down 1,300 workers over the month and Non-Durable Goods lost 1,100 workers.
Jobs in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector rose by 5,700 workers in October. The sector has 1,500 more workers now than at the same point last year. Wholesale Trade employment was up slightly for the month. Retail Trade employment increased by 3,700 workers, the largest individual monthly gain for the industry this year. After two straight months of job losses, Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities added 1,800 workers in October.
After losing jobs the past three months, payrolls in the Information sector were unchanged in October. The sector currently has 1,400 fewer workers than it did a year ago.
Financial Activities employment was up 900 workers in October. The gain in jobs this month nearly negates the loss in jobs the sector suffered last month. Finance and Insurance payrolls were up 500 workers in October and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing payrolls added 400 employees.
Georgia's Professional and Business Services sector gained 3,600 jobs in October. Since October 2003, the sector has added 9,700 workers. For the month, Professional, Scientific & Techni-

cal Services picked up 1,100 employees and the Administrative & Support, Waste Management and Remediation industry added 2,200 workers.
The Educational and Health Services sector added 2,600 jobs in October. For the third consecutive month the sector has experienced sharp gains in employment. Educational Services picked up 900 workers and Health Care & Social Assistance jobs rose by 1,700 over the month.
In October, employment in the Leisure and Hospitality sector was down 2,800 jobs. In the last two month's the sector has lost 6,600 jobs. With many of the theme parks and recreational facilities in the state closing for the season, the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation and the Accommodation & Food Service industries lost 900 and 1,900 workers, respectively.
Government jobs were up 4,800 in October. Federal Government employment remained steady over the month while State Government jobs increased by 800 and Local Government employment grew by 3,900.
Metro Area Employment
In October, the Albany Metro Area lost 300 jobs. The Professional and Business Services sector gained 100 workers and Manufacturing employment was down 200.
Athens Metro Area employment edged up by 100 for the month. Trade, Transportation & Utilities added 300 jobs while Professional & Business Services, Other Services, and Leisure & Hospitality each lost 100 workers.
Employment in the Atlanta Metro Area rose by 6,800 jobs in October. Large gains were in Trade, Transportation & Utilities (+2,800 jobs), Professional & Business Services (+2,500 jobs), and Government (+2,500 jobs). Manufacturing (-1,300 jobs) and Leisure & Hospitality (-1,900 jobs) endured the largest job declines.
In October, the Augusta-Aiken Metro Area added 800 jobs. Manufacturing and Trade, Transportation & Utilities each picked up 300 workers while Natural Resources, Mining & Construction, Information, and Other Services lost 100 jobs each.
Total jobs in the Columbus Metro Area were down 200 in October. Adding 100 jobs each were Trade, Transportation & Utilities and Professional & Business Services. The Manufacturing sector lost 200 jobs.
The Macon Metro Area added 800 jobs in October. Trade, Transportation & Utilities and Government gained 300 workers each while Other Services lost 100.
In the Savannah Metro Area 500 jobs were gained in October and 2,200 jobs have been added in the past three months. Trade, Transportation & Utilities added 300 jobs for the month and Manufacturing lost 100.
For more information, please contact Corey L. Smith at (404) 232-3875 or (800) 338-2082 Fax (404) 232-3888 Email: Corey.Smith@dol.state.ga.us

2

Georgia Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change in Jobs from SEP 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs from OCT 2003

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources and mining Construction
Construction of buildings Heavy and civil engineering construction Specialty trade contractors Manufacturing Durable goods
Wood product manufacturing Transportation equipment manufacturing Non-durable goods Food manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities Wholesale trade Retail trade Food and beverage stores General merchandise stores Transportation, warehousing and utilities Utilities Transportation and warehousing
Air transportation Truck transportation Couriers and messengers Warehousing and storage Information Telecommunications Wired telecommunications carriers Wireless telecommunications carriers Internet service providers, search portals & DP Financial activities Finance and insurance Insurance carriers and related activities Real Estate, rental and leasing Professional and business services Professional, scientific and technical services Accounting, tax preparation and bookkeeping Architectural, engineering and related services Computer systems design and related services Management, scientific and technical services Management of companies and enterprises Admin and support, waste mngmnt and remediation Employment services Educational and health services Educational services Colleges, universities, and professional schools Health care and social assistance Hospitals Nursing and residential care facilities Social assistance Leisure and hospitality Arts, entertainment, and recreation Accommodation and food services Food services and drinking places Other services Government Federal government Department of defense State government State government education Local government Local government education

3,925.7 3,278.2
660.5 3,265.2
12.2 203.5
45.7 33.9 123.9 444.8 196.8 23.9 44.0 248.0 66.5 827.8 205.4 443.1 78.7 91.5 179.3 20.2 159.1 38.3 46.4 20.7 24.1 125.5 55.0 29.7 15.4 18.9 220.7 159.2 64.3 61.5 511.9 197.0 27.4 32.6 43.4 25.9 53.0 261.9 126.5 400.2 63.4 37.4 336.8 115.1 47.5 47.2 356.2 35.7 320.5 279.0 175.4 647.5 93.2 33.0 155.2 69.5 399.1 248.6

3,913.4 3,270.7
662.2 3,251.2
12.3 202.7
46.0 34.3 122.4 447.2 198.1 23.9 43.6 249.1 66.9 822.1 205.2 439.4 78.2 90.1 177.5 20.3 157.2 38.3 46.0 19.1 24.0 125.5 54.9 29.7 15.2 18.9 219.8 158.7 64.0 61.1 508.3 195.9 27.4 32.5 43.2 25.2 52.7 259.7 123.9 397.6 62.5 36.8 335.1 114.3 47.2 46.9 359.0 36.6 322.4 280.3 176.2 642.7 93.1 33.0 154.4 68.8 395.2 244.9

3,893.3 3,254.5
659.6 3,233.7
10.7 202.3
44.5 33.5 124.3 446.6 199.3 23.5 42.0 247.3 64.5 826.3 207.1 444.8 78.8 88.8 174.4 20.4 154.0 38.2 46.0 18.5 22.8 126.9 54.4 29.7 14.7 19.9 217.9 158.3 64.6 59.6 502.2 190.2 26.0 30.7 44.4 25.1 51.8 260.2 128.0 390.9 62.4 36.6 328.5 110.8 45.6 45.9 354.5 37.4 317.1 277.2 176.2 638.8 94.0 32.8 155.2 70.8 389.6 241.1

+12.3 +7.5 -1.7 +14.0
-.1 +.8 -.3 -.4 +1.5 -2.4 -1.3 +.0 +.4 -1.1 -.4 +5.7 +.2 +3.7 +.5 +1.4 +1.8 -.1 +1.9 +.0 +.4 +1.6 +.1 +.0 +.1 +.0 +.2 +.0 +.9 +.5 +.3 +.4 +3.6 +1.1 +.0 +.1 +.2 +.7 +.3 +2.2 +2.6 +2.6 +.9 +.6 +1.7 +.8 +.3 +.3 -2.8 -.9 -1.9 -1.3 -.8 +4.8 +.1 +.0 +.8 +.7 +3.9 +3.7

+0.3 +0.2 -0.3 +0.4 -0.8 +0.4 -0.7 -1.2 +1.2 -0.5 -0.7 +0.0 +0.9 -0.4 -0.6 +0.7 +0.1 +0.8 +0.6 +1.6 +1.0 -0.5 +1.2 +0.0 +0.9 +8.4 +0.4 +0.0 +0.2 +0.0 +1.3 +0.0 +0.4 +0.3 +0.5 +0.7 +0.7 +0.6 +0.0 +0.3 +0.5 +2.8 +0.6 +0.8 +2.1 +0.7 +1.4 +1.6 +0.5 +0.7 +0.6 +0.6 -0.8 -2.5 -0.6 -0.5 -0.5 +0.7 +0.1 +0.0 +0.5 +1.0 +1.0 +1.5

+32.4 +23.7
+.9 +31.5 +1.5 +1.2 +1.2
+.4 -.4 -1.8 -2.5 +.4 +2.0 +.7 +2.0 +1.5 -1.7 -1.7 -.1 +2.7 +4.9 -.2 +5.1 +.1 +.4 +2.2 +1.3 -1.4 +.6 +.0 +.7 -1.0 +2.8 +.9 -.3 +1.9 +9.7 +6.8 +1.4 +1.9 -1.0 +.8 +1.2 +1.7 -1.5 +9.3 +1.0 +.8 +8.3 +4.3 +1.9 +1.3 +1.7 -1.7 +3.4 +1.8 -.8 +8.7 -.8 +.2 +.0 -1.3 +9.5 +7.5

+0.8 +0.7 +0.1 +1.0 +14.0 +0.6 +2.7 +1.2 -0.3 -0.4 -1.3 +1.7 +4.8 +0.3 +3.1 +0.2 -0.8 -0.4 -0.1 +3.0 +2.8 -1.0 +3.3 +0.3 +0.9 +11.9 +5.7 -1.1 +1.1 +0.0 +4.8 -5.0 +1.3 +0.6 -0.5 +3.2 +1.9 +3.6 +5.4 +6.2 -2.3 +3.2 +2.3 +0.7 -1.2 +2.4 +1.6 +2.2 +2.5 +3.9 +4.2 +2.8 +0.5 -4.5 +1.1 +0.6 -0.5 +1.4 -0.9 +0.6 +0.0 -1.8 +2.4 +3.1

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 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 2003 benchmark.

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

3

Atlanta Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change in Jobs from SEP 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs from OCT 2003

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources and mining Construction
Construction of buildings Specialty trade contractors Manufacturing Durable goods
Computer and electronic products Transportation equipment manufacturing Non-durable goods Food manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities Wholesale trade Retail trade Food and beverage stores General merchandise stores Transportation, warehousing and utilities Utilities Transportation and warehousing
Air transportation Truck transportation Couriers and messengers Warehousing and storage Information Telecommunications Wired telecommunications carriers Wireless telecommunications carriers Financial activities Finance and insurance Insurance carriers and related activities Real estate, rental and leasing Professional and business services Professional, scientific and technical services Accounting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping Architectural, engineering and related services Computer systems design and related services Management, scientific and technical services Management of companies and enterprises Admin and support, waste mngmnt and remediation Employment services Educational and health services Health care and social assistance Hospitals Social assistance Leisure and hospitality Arts, entertainment and recreation Accommodation and food services Food services and drinking places Other services Government Federal government State government Local government

2,194.6 1,898.2
289.6 1,905.0
1.9 120.4
25.8 75.8 167.3 87.7 11.0 20.8 79.6 23.0 494.0 135.3 243.0 43.2 45.5 115.7 10.2 105.5 37.6 25.0 16.3 12.0 97.0 44.0 24.3 12.7 147.8 105.5 45.1 42.3 349.2 144.9 19.4 26.0 32.6 20.4 37.5 166.8 75.2 220.1 174.9 60.1 27.0 206.8 20.9 185.9 165.1 93.7 296.4 45.5 58.6 192.3

2,187.8 1,893.9
290.6 1,897.2
1.9 120.1
25.9 75.2 168.6 88.7 11.4 20.5 79.9 23.2 491.2 135.2 240.8 42.8 44.6 115.2 10.2 105.0 37.6 24.7 15.3 12.0 96.9 43.8 24.3 12.6 147.4 105.2 45.0 42.2 346.7 144.4 19.7 26.0 32.3 19.8 37.1 165.2 73.4 218.6 174.0 59.6 26.9 208.7 21.7 187.0 165.8 93.8 293.9 45.3 58.2 190.4

2,174.0 1,881.8
291.9 1,882.1
1.8 120.4
25.3 76.9 169.7 88.5 12.1 19.4 81.2 22.6 491.7 135.7 240.7 42.9 43.8 115.3 10.5 104.8 37.3 24.7 14.8 11.8 97.1 43.5 25.0 12.1 147.7 108.0 45.3 39.7 343.3 141.8 17.2 25.1 33.2 20.0 36.5 165.0 75.9 213.4 167.9 57.8 25.8 202.2 23.2 179.0 158.4 94.5 292.2 46.1 58.4 187.7

+6.8 +0.3 +4.3 +0.2 -1.0 -0.3 +7.8 +0.4
+.0 +0.0 +.3 +0.2 -.1 -0.4 +.6 +0.8 -1.3 -0.8 -1.0 -1.1 -.4 -3.5 +.3 +1.5 -.3 -0.4 -.2 -0.9 +2.8 +0.6 +.1 +0.1 +2.2 +0.9 +.4 +0.9 +.9 +2.0 +.5 +0.4 +.0 +0.0 +.5 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +1.2 +1.0 +6.5 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.1 +.2 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.8 +.4 +0.3 +.3 +0.3 +.1 +0.2 +.1 +0.2 +2.5 +0.7 +.5 +0.3 -.3 -1.5 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +0.9 +.6 +3.0 +.4 +1.1 +1.6 +1.0 +1.8 +2.5 +1.5 +0.7 +.9 +0.5 +.5 +0.8 +.1 +0.4 -1.9 -0.9 -.8 -3.7 -1.1 -0.6 -.7 -0.4 -.1 -0.1 +2.5 +0.9 +.2 +0.4 +.4 +0.7 +1.9 +1.0

+20.6 +16.4
-2.3 +22.9
+.1 +.0 +.5 -1.1 -2.4 -.8 -1.1 +1.4 -1.6 +.4 +2.3 -.4 +2.3 +.3 +1.7 +.4 -.3 +.7 +.3 +.3 +1.5 +.2 -.1 +.5 -.7 +.6 +.1 -2.5 -.2 +2.6 +5.9 +3.1 +2.2 +.9 -.6 +.4 +1.0 +1.8 -.7 +6.7 +7.0 +2.3 +1.2 +4.6 -2.3 +6.9 +6.7 -.8 +4.2 -.6 +.2 +4.6

+0.9 +0.9 -0.8 +1.2 +5.6 +0.0 +2.0 -1.4 -1.4 -0.9 -9.1 +7.2 -2.0 +1.8 +0.5 -0.3 +1.0 +0.7 +3.9 +0.3 -2.9 +0.7 +0.8 +1.2 +10.1 +1.7 -0.1 +1.1 -2.8 +5.0 +0.1 -2.3 -0.4 +6.5 +1.7 +2.2 +12.8 +3.6 -1.8 +2.0 +2.7 +1.1 -0.9 +3.1 +4.2 +4.0 +4.7 +2.3 -9.9 +3.9 +4.2 -0.8 +1.4 -1.3 +0.3 +2.5

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 2003 benchmark.
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

4

Albany Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change in Jobs

from SEP 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from OCT 2003

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Government Federal government State and local government

57.2

57.5

45.5

45.8

9.9

10.1

47.3

47.4

3.1

3.1

6.8

7.0

12.0

12.1

2.0

2.1

7.4

7.3

2.6

2.7

.9

.9

2.1

2.1

5.4

5.3

8.3

8.3

4.3

4.4

2.6

2.6

11.7

11.7

2.4

2.4

9.3

9.3

57.3

-.3 -0.5

-.1 -0.2

45.6

-.3 -0.7

-.1 -0.2

10.3

-.2 -2.0

-.4 -3.9

47.0

-.1 -0.2

+.3 +0.6

3.1

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

7.2

-.2 -2.9

-.4 -5.6

11.9

-.1 -0.8

+.1 +0.8

2.1

-.1 -4.8

-.1 -4.8

7.1

+.1 +1.4

+.3 +4.2

2.7

-.1 -3.7

-.1 -3.7

1.0

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -10.0

2.1

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

5.4

+.1 +1.9

+.0 +0.0

8.0

+.0 +0.0

+.3 +3.8

4.2

-.1 -2.3

+.1 +2.4

2.7

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -3.7

11.7

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

2.4

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

9.3

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

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 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 2003 benchmark.

Athens Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change in Jobs

from SEP 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from OCT 2003

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Government Federal government State and local government

74.6

74.5

53.4

53.4

12.0

12.0

62.6

62.5

3.0

3.0

9.0

9.0

11.9

11.6

2.0

1.9

8.5

8.3

1.4

1.4

.9

.9

2.5

2.5

6.0

6.1

9.3

9.3

6.9

7.0

3.9

4.0

21.2

21.1

1.7

1.7

19.5

19.4

74.1

+.1 +0.1

+.5 +0.7

53.0

+.0 +0.0

+.4 +0.8

11.6

+.0 +0.0

+.4 +3.4

62.5

+.1 +0.2

+.1 +0.2

2.9

+.0 +0.0

+.1 +3.4

8.7

+.0 +0.0

+.3 +3.4

12.3

+.3 +2.6

-.4 -3.3

1.9

+.1 +5.3

+.1 +5.3

9.1

+.2 +2.4

-.6 -6.6

1.3

+.0 +0.0

+.1 +7.7

.9

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

2.6

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -3.8

6.0

-.1 -1.6

+.0 +0.0

9.0

+.0 +0.0

+.3 +3.3

6.6

-.1 -1.4

+.3 +4.5

4.0

-.1 -2.5

-.1 -2.5

21.1

+.1 +0.5

+.1 +0.5

1.7

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

19.4

+.1 +0.5

+.1 +0.5

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 2003 benchmark.
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

5

Augusta-Aiken Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change in Jobs

from SEP 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from OCT 2003

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Educational services Health care and social assistance
Hospitals Leisure and hospitality Other services Government
Federal government State and local government

205.2 165.3
37.5 167.7
12.8 24.7 33.2
4.0 24.4
4.8 3.1 7.6 30.5 26.1 5.3 20.8 6.7 19.2 8.1 39.9 7.3 32.6

204.4 164.7
37.3 167.1
12.9 24.4 32.9
4.0 24.1
4.8 3.2 7.6 30.3 26.0 5.3 20.7 6.7 19.2 8.2 39.7 7.3 32.4

203.7 164.2
39.4 164.3
13.7 25.7 33.4
4.1 24.4
4.9 3.2 7.2 29.5 25.1 4.8 20.3 6.4 18.6 7.8 39.5 7.3 32.2

+.8 +0.4 +.6 +0.4 +.2 +0.5 +.6 +0.4 -.1 -0.8 +.3 +1.2 +.3 +0.9 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +1.2 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -3.1 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +0.7 +.1 +0.4 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.2 +.2 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +0.6

+1.5 +1.1 -1.9 +3.4
-.9 -1.0
-.2 -.1 +.0 -.1 -.1 +.4 +1.0 +1.0 +.5 +.5 +.3 +.6 +.3 +.4 +.0 +.4

+0.7 +0.7 -4.8 +2.1 -6.6 -3.9 -0.6 -2.4 +0.0 -2.0 -3.1 +5.6 +3.4 +4.0 +10.4 +2.5 +4.7 +3.2 +3.8 +1.0 +0.0 +1.2

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 2003 benchmark.

Columbus Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change in Jobs from SEP 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs from OCT 2003

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Finance and Insurance Insurance carriers and related activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Accommodation and food services Other services Government Federal government State and local government

117.4 96.3 19.1 98.3
5.5 13.6 17.4
2.4 13.5
1.5 6.0 9.0 7.1 4.8 12.7 13.1 13.2 12.1 5.8 21.1 4.8 16.3

117.6 96.5 19.3 98.3
5.5 13.8 17.3
2.4 13.4
1.5 6.0 9.0 7.1 4.8 12.6 13.1 13.3 12.1 5.9 21.1 4.9 16.2

118.0 96.7 18.8 99.2
5.5 13.3 18.0
2.5 13.8
1.7 6.5 8.7 6.9 4.6 12.4 13.4 13.2 12.2 5.7 21.3 4.9 16.4

-.2 -0.2 -.2 -0.2 -.2 -1.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.2 -1.4 +.1 +0.6 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.7 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.8 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.8 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.7 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -2.0 +.1 +0.6

-.6 -0.5 -.4 -0.4 +.3 +1.6 -.9 -0.9 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +2.3 -.6 -3.3 -.1 -4.0 -.3 -2.2 -.2 -11.8 -.5 -7.7 +.3 +3.4 +.2 +2.9 +.2 +4.3 +.3 +2.4 -.3 -2.2 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.8 +.1 +1.8 -.2 -0.9 -.1 -2.0 -.1 -0.6

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 2003 benchmark.

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

6

Macon Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change in Jobs

from SEP 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from OCT 2003

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Government Federal government State and local government

152.0 116.1 19.2 132.8
6.2 13.0 26.3
3.5 18.7
4.1 2.7 10.6 16.8 21.2 13.7 5.6 35.9 14.4 21.5

151.2 115.6 19.2 132.0
6.2 13.0 26.0
3.5 18.4
4.1 2.7 10.6 16.7 21.1 13.6 5.7 35.6 14.4 21.2

151.4 116.1 20.2 131.2
6.1 14.1 26.1
3.5 18.6
4.0 2.8 10.5 16.7 20.9 13.2 5.7 35.3 14.3 21.0

+.8 +0.5 +.5 +0.4 +.0 +0.0 +.8 +0.6 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +1.2 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +1.6 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.6 +.1 +0.5 +.1 +0.7 -.1 -1.8 +.3 +0.8 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +1.4

+.6 +0.4 +.0 +0.0 -1.0 -5.0 +1.6 +1.2 +.1 +1.6 -1.1 -7.8 +.2 +0.8 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.5 +.1 +2.5 -.1 -3.6 +.1 +1.0 +.1 +0.6 +.3 +1.4 +.5 +3.8 -.1 -1.8 +.6 +1.7 +.1 +0.7 +.5 +2.4

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 2003 benchmark.

Savannah Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change in Jobs from SEP 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs from OCT 2003

Net

%

Total nonfarm Total private Goods producing Service-providing
Natural resources, mining and construction Manufacturing Trade, transportation and utilities
Wholesale trade Retail trade Transportation, warehousing and utilities Information Financial activities Professional and business services Educational and health services Leisure and hospitality Other services Government
Federal government State and local government

143.2 121.6
21.4 121.8
8.5 12.9 31.3
5.0 17.9
8.4 1.9 6.5 16.0 19.3 17.9 7.3 21.6 2.7 18.9

142.7 121.2
21.5 121.2
8.5 13.0 31.0
5.0 17.7
8.3 1.9 6.5 15.9 19.2 17.9 7.3 21.5 2.7 18.8

142.6 121.3
22.0 120.6
8.5 13.5 30.8
5.0 17.8
8.0 1.9 6.5 15.8 19.3 18.0 7.0 21.3 2.7 18.6

+.5 +0.4 +.4 +0.3 -.1 -0.5 +.6 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.8 +.3 +1.0 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.1 +.1 +1.2 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.6 +.1 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.5

+.6 +0.4 +.3 +0.2 -.6 -2.7 +1.2 +1.0 +.0 +0.0 -.6 -4.4 +.5 +1.6 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.6 +.4 +5.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.3 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.6 +.3 +4.3 +.3 +1.4 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +1.6

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 2003 benchmark.
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

7

Dimensions - Measuring Georgia's Labor Force

Unemployment at five-month low
7.5%

Unemployment rates -- Georgia and U.S.

Down slightly over the month by only one-tenth percentage point, Georgia's

Ge orgi a

U.S .

unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in October. And although the decline this

6.5%

month was a modest one, the over-the-

month drop preserved a short-term down-

ward trend as October 2004 marked the 5.5% eighth time in the past nine years the

state's rate has declined from September

to October. As Georgia's jobless numbers

continue to move in the right direction, 4.5%

the rate this month was at a five-month

low in October. One year ago, the state's

rate was 4.5 percent.

3.5%

The U.S. unemployment rate, not season-

O ct Nov De c Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Se p O ct

ally adjusted, was essentially unchanged

2003

2004

over the month at 5.1 percent in October.

That steady pace also kept the nation's rate at a three-year low. When drawing

Area data

saw increases in their rates and the remaining 25 counties were essentially un-

comparisons between Georgia and the In October, the unemployment rates in only changed over the month. Jeff Davis

nation as a whole, it is worth noting that two of Georgia's seven MSAs emulated County's rate, at 9.5 percent in October, the state's jobless rate, at nearly one per- the statewide trend and declined over the increased over the month by more than

centage point below the nation, has pre- month Atlanta dropped from 4.4 percent two percentage points and launched it to

vailed at or below the U.S. average for in September to 4.3 percent and Albany first on the state's highest county rate list. more than four years now. In fact, the declined from 5.0 percent to 4.9 percent. For the second straight month, Towns

state's rate has exceeded the nation's rate The rates in four of the remaining five ar- County had the lowest county rate in the

only six times in the past 14 years.

eas were essentially unchanged over the state. Towns'rate declined over the month

month. They were Athens, at 2.9 percent, by two-tenths of a percent from

Although Georgia's total count of unem- Macon, at 4.2 percent, Savannah, at 3.5 September's revised rate of 1.7 percent to

ployed persons was down slightly over percent, and Augusta, which at 5.5 per- 1.5 percent in October.

the month by only 500 (-0.3%), at less than cent in October, posted the highest rate in

189,000 in October, that measure was at a the state. The only area to increase over five-month low. The decline this month the month was Columbus, which rose to

Mass layoff satistics

was aided by an over-the-month drop in the number of people receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during the reference week in October. Typically, during this time of year, employers in mostly retail establishments begin hiring tempo-
rary workers for the holiday season.

5.3 percent in October. Athens' 2.9 percent rate kept it in the top spot with the lowest metro area rate.
Unemployment rates in 79 of Georgia's 159 counties mirrored the statewide trend and declined in October. Fifty-five counties

During October, Georgia employers initiated 16 mass layoff events, as measured by new filings for unemployment benefits during the month. Each action consisted of at least 50 separated workers from a single establishment. There were 1,977 separated workers affected by the layoffs,

which represented a increase of 143 per-

Percent Southeastern states and U.S. unemployment rates
9
O ctobe r 2004 Se pte mbe r 2004 8

cent when compared to September, when 11 layoffs affected 815 workers. This month's figure declined 30.3 percent when compared to October 2003, when 22 layoff events initiated the filing of 2,838

7

6.5

6.5 6.7

initial claims.

6 5.8 5.7

4.9

5

4.5

4.2 4.3 4.5 4.4

4

5.7 4.6 4.4

3

2

1

0

AL

FL

GA

KY

MS

NC

SC

5.0 4.8 5.1 5.1

TN

US

While the nation's unemployment rate was essentially unchanged over the month, no state in the Southeast followed that trend. Five states in the region recorded increases in their jobless rates and the remaining three posted declines. Of those three, Georgia's unemployment rate of 4.2 percent, ranked lowest in the region for the 22nd consecutive month. For the 16th straight month, South Carolina, at 6.5 percent, registered the highest regional rate. However, with an over-the-month increase of nearly one percentage point, Mississippi, also at 6.5 percent, joined South Carolina this month in the top highest rate standing.

8

Georgia
Albany MSA
Athens MSA
Atlanta MSA
Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC MSA Columbus, GA-AL MSA Macon MSA
Savannah MSA

Georgia Labor Force Estimates (not seasonally adjusted) Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Employment Status

Preliminary OCT 2004

Revised SEP 2004

Revised OCT 2003

Change From

Revised

Revised

SEP 2004

OCT 2003

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

4,455,254 4,266,518
188,736 4.2

4,428,277 4,239,040
189,237 4.3

4,465,278 4,266,080
199,198 4.5

26,977 27,478
-501

-10,024 438
-10,462

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

57,635 54,789
2,846 4.9

57,356 54,493
2,863 5.0

58,290 55,339
2,951 5.1

279

-655

296

-550

-17

-105

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

79,509 77,222
2,287 2.9

79,043 76,772
2,271 2.9

80,489 78,132
2,357 2.9

466

-980

450

-910

16

-70

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

2,456,180 2,350,808
105,372 4.3

2,443,991 2,337,512
106,479 4.4

2,452,993 2,339,331
113,662 4.6

12,189 13,296 -1,107

3,187 11,477 -8,290

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

225,376 212,987
12,389 5.5

223,653 211,459 12,194
5.5

220,140 209,712
10,428 4.7

1,723 1,528
195

5,236 3,275 1,961

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

130,860 123,928
6,932 5.3

129,939 123,271
6,668 5.1

132,425 125,024
7,401 5.6

921

-1,565

657

-1,096

264

-469

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

164,300 157,422
6,878 4.2

162,477 155,659
6,818 4.2

164,595 157,820
6,775 4.1

1,823 1,763
60

-295 -398 103

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

151,555 146,300
5,255 3.5

150,032 144,761
5,271 3.5

151,991 146,448
5,543 3.6

1,523 1,539
-16

-436 -148 -288

United States Labor Force Estimates Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Area

Employment Status

OCT 2004

SEP 2004

OCT 2003

Change From

SEP 2004

OCT 2003

United States
(Seasonally adjusted)

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

147,850,000 139,778,000
8,072,000 5.5

147,483,000 139,480,000
8,003,000 5.4

146,892,000 138,095,000
8,797,000 6.0

367,000 298,000
69,000

958,000 1,683,000 -725,000

United States
(Not Seasonally adjusted)

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

147,978,000 140,447,000
7,531,000 5.1

147,186,000 139,641,000
7,545,000 5.1

146,787,000 138,619,000
8,169,000 5.6

792,000 806,000 -14,000

1,191,000 1,828,000 -638,000

Note: Employment includes nonagricultural wage and salary employment, self-employment, 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: Includes Dougherty and Lee counties Athens MSA: Includes Clarke, Madison, and Oconee counties Atlanta MSA: Includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens,
Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton counties Augusta-Aiken MSA: Includes Columbia, McDuffie and Richmond counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina Columbus MSA: Includes Chattahoochee, Harris and Muscogee counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama Macon MSA: Includes Bibb, Houston, Jones, Peach, and Twiggs counties Savannah MSA: Includes Bryan, Chatham, and Effingham counties

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

9

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Georgia
Appling Atkinson Bacon Baker Baldwin

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary October 2004

Revised September 2004

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

4,455,254 4,266,518 188,736 4.2

7,517 3,226 3,926 1,691 18,881

7,103 3,018 3,765 1,633 18,177

414 5.5 208 6.4 161 4.1
58 3.4 704 3.7

4,428,277 4,239,040 189,237 4.3

7,529 3,228 3,914 1,702 18,671

7,069 3,020 3,752 1,649 18,014

460 6.1 208 6.4 162 4.1
53 3.1 657 3.5

Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien

6,977 6,775

202 2.9

25,227 24,106 1,121 4.4

42,913 40,938 1,975 4.6

8,044 7,726

318 4.0

6,873 6,632

241 3.5

6,990 6,740

250 3.6

25,137 23,970 1,167 4.6

42,737 40,707 2,030 4.7

8,030 7,698

332 4.1

6,873 6,636

237 3.4

Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan

75,815 72,437 3,378 4.5

6,260 5,925

335 5.4

7,156 6,835

321 4.5

7,911 7,695

216 2.7

12,456 12,086

370 3.0

75,050 71,626 3,424 4.6

6,150 5,888

262 4.3

7,169 6,783

386 5.4

7,838

7,641

197 2.5

12,296 11,959

337 2.7

Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden

29,674 9,350 9,932 2,366
17,272

28,857 8,566 9,500 2,265
16,506

817 2.8 784 8.4 432 4.3 101 4.3 766 4.4

29,472 9,316 9,814 2,396
17,122

28,639 8,525 9,421 2,278
16,370

833 2.8 791 8.5 393 4.0 118 4.9 752 4.4

Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham

4,018 3,857

161 4.0

48,087 45,984 2,103 4.4

30,700 29,829

871 2.8

4,527 4,340

187 4.1

117,901 113,706 4,195 3.6

4,034

3,858

176 4.4

47,735 45,724 2,011 4.2

30,354 29,678

676 2.2

4,486 4,304

182 4.1

116,731 112,510 4,221 3.6

Chattahoochee 2,288 2,128

160 7.0

Chattooga

11,340 10,920

420 3.7

Cherokee

88,786 86,221 2,565 2.9

Clarke

51,080 49,536 1,544 3.0

Clay

1,849 1,795

54 2.9

2,284

2,115

169 7.4

11,259 10,827

432 3.8

88,266 85,734 2,532 2.9

50,771 49,247 1,524 3.0

1,846 1,798

48 2.6

Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt

144,240 136,170 8,070 5.6

2,898 2,775

123 4.2

386,877 372,748 14,129 3.7

21,011 20,124

887 4.2

17,972 17,313

659 3.7

143,359 135,400 7,959 5.6

2,897 2,769

128 4.4

384,677 370,640 14,037 3.6

21,010 20,042

968 4.6

17,960 17,286

674 3.8

Columbia Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp

47,777 45,962 1,815 3.8

7,730 7,362

368 4.8

48,901 47,102 1,799 3.7

6,469 6,216

253 3.9

9,156 8,702

454 5.0

47,045 45,507 1,538 3.3

7,704 7,341

363 4.7

48,609 46,835 1,774 3.6

6,452 6,185

267 4.1

9,240 8,682

558 6.0

Revised October 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

4,465,278 4,266,080 199,198 4.5

7,688 3,364 4,067 1,816 18,791

7,218 3,136 3,848 1,748 18,098

470 6.1 228 6.8 219 5.4
68 3.7 693 3.7

7,124 25,051 42,982
8,355 7,076

6,887 23,988 40,739
7,893 6,860

237 3.3 1,063 4.2 2,243 5.2
462 5.5 216 3.1

75,807 6,174 7,187 7,932
12,441

72,620 5,976 6,845 7,740
12,098

3,187 4.2 198 3.2 342 4.8 192 2.4 343 2.8

29,921 9,749 9,899 2,521
17,275

28,969 8,685 9,493 2,398
16,499

952 3.2 1,064 10.9
406 4.1 123 4.9 776 4.5

4,145 47,981 30,797
4,604 118,350

3,990 45,760 29,748
4,338 113,821

155 3.7 2,221 4.6 1,049 3.4
266 5.8 4,529 3.8

2,335 11,305 89,064 51,700 1,924

2,149 10,902 85,800 50,120
1,869

186 8.0 403 3.6 3,264 3.7 1,580 3.1
55 2.9

143,899 135,505 8,394 5.8

2,965 2,842

123 4.1

386,588 370,928 15,660 4.1

21,900 20,510 1,390 6.3

18,505 17,833

672 3.6

47,205 7,845
48,901 6,621 9,450

45,977 7,524
46,872 6,272 8,949

1,228 2.6 321 4.1
2,029 4.1 349 5.3 501 5.3

10

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Dade Dawson Decatur DeKalb Dodge

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary October 2004

Revised September 2004

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,979 7,755

224 2.8

11,994 11,704

290 2.4

11,562 10,879

683 5.9

396,981 376,202 20,779 5.2

10,476 10,126

350 3.3

7,904 7,715

189 2.4

11,764 11,476

288 2.4

11,551 10,848

703 6.1

395,529 374,074 21,455 5.4

10,348 10,046

302 2.9

Dooly Dougherty Douglas Early Echols

4,464 4,230

234 5.2

43,843 41,379 2,464 5.6

55,268 52,552 2,716 4.9

5,097 4,832

265 5.2

1,928 1,887

41 2.1

4,434 4,220

214 4.8

43,649 41,155 2,494 5.7

54,800 52,255 2,545 4.6

5,108 4,839

269 5.3

1,920 1,874

46 2.4

Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin

21,198 9,628 8,921 5,249 9,496

20,508 9,169 8,425 5,134 9,165

690 3.3 459 4.8 496 5.6 115 2.2 331 3.5

21,007 9,620 8,914 5,243 9,446

20,293 9,110 8,416 5,105 9,135

714 3.4 510 5.3 498 5.6 138 2.6 311 3.3

Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton

51,282 49,891 1,391 2.7

49,059 46,908 2,151 4.4

64,014 62,461 1,553 2.4

11,461 10,994

467 4.1

433,715 412,280 21,435 4.9

50,979 49,609 1,370 2.7

48,815 46,493 2,322 4.8

63,725 62,108 1,617 2.5

11,399 10,922

477 4.2

431,439 409,948 21,491 5.0

Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady

9,769 9,374

395 4.0

1,050 1,003

47 4.5

37,167 36,000 1,167 3.1

22,684 21,711

973 4.3

9,325 8,930

395 4.2

9,687 9,295

392 4.0

1,043

999

44 4.2

36,835 35,634 1,201 3.3

22,537 21,550

987 4.4

9,372 8,986

386 4.1

Greene

5,783 5,458

325 5.6

Gwinnett

393,092 379,615 13,477 3.4

Habersham

17,030 16,645

385 2.3

Hall

82,100 79,667 2,433 3.0

Hancock

3,735 3,474

261 7.0

5,765 5,425

340 5.9

391,534 377,468 14,066 3.6

16,945 16,540

405 2.4

81,362 78,885 2,477 3.0

3,683 3,458

225 6.1

Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry

10,901 10,384

517 4.7

13,712 13,276

436 3.2

9,577 9,114

463 4.8

5,253 5,047

206 3.9

75,733 72,632 3,101 4.1

10,899 10,343

556 5.1

13,565 13,195

370 2.7

9,512 9,056

456 4.8

5,211 4,999

212 4.1

75,461 72,221 3,240 4.3

Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis

59,153 57,033 2,120 3.6

4,630 4,477

153 3.3

25,310 24,474

836 3.3

5,447 5,177

270 5.0

5,056 4,576

480 9.5

58,406 56,395 2,011 3.4

4,636 4,462

174 3.8

25,159 24,300

859 3.4

5,421 5,163

258 4.8

4,913 4,558

355 7.2

Revised October 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,989 7,734

255 3.2

11,750 11,444

306 2.6

11,820 11,120

700 5.9

395,113 374,365 20,748 5.3

10,501 10,136

365 3.5

4,694 44,344 54,865
5,335 1,938

4,350 41,794 52,296
5,032 1,898

344 7.3 2,550 5.8 2,569 4.7
303 5.7 40 2.1

21,201 9,919 9,034 5,369 9,602

20,529 9,267 8,517 5,218 9,169

672 3.2 652 6.6 517 5.7 151 2.8 433 4.5

51,138 49,648 1,490 2.9

48,479 46,711 1,768 3.6

64,208 62,156 2,052 3.2

11,542 11,109

433 3.8

434,582 410,267 24,315 5.6

9,792 1,055 37,121 22,798 9,674

9,443 1,016 35,868 21,795 9,287

349 3.6 39 3.7
1,253 3.4 1,003 4.4
387 4.0

5,912 5,522

390 6.6

392,906 377,762 15,144 3.9

17,347 16,825

522 3.0

81,723 79,059 2,664 3.3

3,803 3,505

298 7.8

10,896 13,820
9,591 5,268 75,288

10,377 13,408
9,206 5,020 72,277

519 4.8 412 3.0 385 4.0 248 4.7 3,011 4.0

59,034 4,799
25,552 5,510 5,102

57,178 4,575
24,654 5,204 4,667

1,856 3.1 224 4.7 898 3.5 306 5.6 435 8.5

11

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary October 2004

Revised September 2004

Labor Force
7,375 4,039 3,327 13,261 6,725

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

6,731 3,885 3,156 12,792 6,363

644 8.7 154 3.8 171 5.1 469 3.5 362 5.4

Labor Force
7,336 4,037 3,340 13,155 6,685

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

6,704 3,875 3,138 12,648 6,309

632 8.6 162 4.0 202 6.0 507 3.9 376 5.6

Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln

3,730 3,644

86 2.3

23,261 22,205 1,056 4.5

13,792 13,410

382 2.8

20,268 18,801 1,467 7.2

2,549 2,358

191 7.5

3,687 3,619

68 1.8

23,118 22,039 1,079 4.7

13,707 13,338

369 2.7

20,074 18,643 1,431 7.1

2,525 2,344

181 7.2

Long Lowndes Lumpkin McDuffie McIntosh

5,155 4,955

200 3.9

47,868 46,575 1,293 2.7

12,483 12,158

325 2.6

9,864 9,257

607 6.2

5,113 4,924

189 3.7

5,100 4,913

187 3.7

47,536 46,248 1,288 2.7

12,376 12,030

346 2.8

9,714 9,165

549 5.7

5,124 4,889

235 4.6

Macon Madison Marion Meriwether Miller

5,265 13,922
2,845 9,584 3,330

4,913 13,475
2,689 8,936 3,235

352 6.7 447 3.2 156 5.5 648 6.8
95 2.9

5,304 13,843
2,851 9,508 3,346

4,926 13,397
2,681 8,857 3,239

378 7.1 446 3.2 170 6.0 651 6.8 107 3.2

Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray

12,093 8,171 3,799 8,148
19,358

11,603 7,770 3,574 7,852 18,638

490 4.1 401 4.9 225 5.9 296 3.6 720 3.7

12,107 8,113 3,779 8,135
19,098

11,591 7,699 3,556 7,822 18,447

516 4.3 414 5.1 223 5.9 313 3.8 651 3.4

Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding

89,680 85,066 4,614 5.1

35,168 33,221 1,947 5.5

14,507 14,211

296 2.0

6,927 6,705

222 3.2

49,491 47,497 1,994 4.0

88,978 84,546 4,432 5.0

34,894 33,033 1,861 5.3

14,428 14,128

300 2.1

6,892 6,663

229 3.3

49,205 47,229 1,976 4.0

Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk

11,506 12,983
8,554 8,351 20,053

10,832 12,582
8,286 8,028 19,248

674 5.9 401 3.1 268 3.1 323 3.9 805 4.0

11,393 12,856
8,535 8,268 19,939

10,711 12,511 8,256 7,955 19,043

682 6.0 345 2.7 279 3.3 313 3.8 896 4.5

Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph

4,396 10,224
1,519 7,725 3,090

4,229 9,886 1,465 7,589 2,917

167 3.8 338 3.3
54 3.6 136 1.8 173 5.6

4,333 10,176
1,512 7,656 3,081

4,205 9,813 1,462 7,505 2,907

128 3.0 363 3.6
50 3.3 151 2.0 174 5.6

Revised October 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,491 4,218 3,486 13,330 6,712

6,837 3,977 3,196 12,824 6,347

654 8.7 241 5.7 290 8.3 506 3.8 365 5.4

3,756 23,908 13,946 19,685
2,636

3,666 22,303 13,545 18,740
2,385

90 2.4 1,605 6.7
401 2.9 945 4.8 251 9.5

5,075 48,209 12,419
9,824 5,147

4,938 46,847 12,077
9,260 4,956

137 2.7 1,362 2.8
342 2.8 564 5.7 191 3.7

5,669 14,133
2,959 9,419 3,501

5,120 13,634
2,752 8,893 3,367

549 9.7 499 3.5 207 7.0 526 5.6 134 3.8

12,524 8,119 3,815 8,318
19,223

11,945 7,722 3,622 8,012 18,451

579 4.6 397 4.9 193 5.1 306 3.7 772 4.0

90,624 35,132 14,656
7,056 49,291

85,911 33,058 14,378
6,764 47,266

4,713 5.2 2,074 5.9
278 1.9 292 4.1 2,025 4.1

11,900 12,965
8,731 8,338 19,910

10,860 12,521
8,458 7,982 19,044

1,040 8.7 444 3.4 273 3.1 356 4.3 866 4.3

4,425 10,271
1,529 7,741 3,203

4,284 9,890 1,477 7,595 2,998

141 3.2 381 3.7
52 3.4 146 1.9 205 6.4

12

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary October 2004

Revised September 2004

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

86,529 81,087 5,442 6.3

40,923 39,145 1,778 4.3

1,886 1,797

89 4.7

5,642 5,319

323 5.7

4,661 4,503

158 3.4

85,407 80,284 5,123 6.0

40,863 38,924 1,939 4.7

1,862 1,782

80 4.3

5,637 5,301

336 6.0

4,691 4,510

181 3.9

Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot

29,355 27,622 1,733 5.9

12,027 11,368

659 5.5

2,549 2,327

222 8.7

14,651 13,881

770 5.3

2,953 2,794

159 5.4

29,064 27,466 1,598 5.5

11,992 11,274

718 6.0

2,535 2,313

222 8.8

14,643 13,803

840 5.7

2,950 2,772

178 6.0

Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell

806 6,919 3,662 4,053 4,080

767 6,623 3,489 3,826 3,827

39 4.8 296 4.3 173 4.7 227 5.6 253 6.2

799 6,940 3,659 4,044 4,121

763 6,654 3,478 3,817 3,825

36 4.5 286 4.1 181 4.9 227 5.6 296 7.2

Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen

23,055 21,221 11,838
5,067 2,988

22,219 20,464 11,150
4,991 2,841

836 3.6 757 3.6 688 5.8
76 1.5 147 4.9

22,906 21,205 11,827
5,020 3,005

22,075 20,382 11,093
4,936 2,827

831 3.6 823 3.9 734 6.2
84 1.7 178 5.9

Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson

31,589 29,803 1,786 5.7

4,395 4,152

243 5.5

4,565 4,328

237 5.2

9,511 9,254

257 2.7

10,542 9,916

626 5.9

31,277 29,533 1,744 5.6

4,413 4,146

267 6.1

4,473 4,279

194 4.3

9,439 9,183

256 2.7

10,413 9,830

583 5.6

Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington

32,503 31,486 1,017 3.1

33,142 31,837 1,305 3.9

16,047 15,382

665 4.1

2,285 2,079

206 9.0

9,265 8,868

397 4.3

32,255 31,327

928 2.9

33,124 31,657 1,467 4.4

15,950 15,255

695 4.4

2,233 2,073

160 7.2

9,232 8,818

414 4.5

Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield

11,818 11,217

601 5.1

1,218 1,138

80 6.6

2,097 1,968

129 6.2

10,148 9,864

284 2.8

51,945 50,233 1,712 3.3

11,683 11,127

556 4.8

1,218 1,136

82 6.7

2,095 1,963

132 6.3

10,056 9,779

277 2.8

51,319 49,799 1,520 3.0

Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth

3,399 5,037 4,390 9,801

3,255 4,701 4,176 9,278

144 4.2 336 6.7 214 4.9 523 5.3

3,371 5,011 4,346 9,762

3,247 4,665 4,147 9,277

124 3.7 346 6.9 199 4.6 485 5.0

Revised October 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

85,350 40,883
1,876 5,799 4,860

81,114 38,954
1,799 5,453 4,694

4,236 5.0 1,929 4.7
77 4.1 346 6.0 166 3.4

29,172 12,140
2,491 14,846
2,969

27,487 11,370 2,364 14,057 2,791

1,685 5.8 770 6.3 127 5.1 789 5.3 178 6.0

843 7,224 3,845 4,332 4,195

786 6,966 3,572 3,926 3,963

57 6.8 258 3.6 273 7.1 406 9.4 232 5.5

23,270 21,532 12,082
5,087 3,019

22,452 20,857 11,298
5,005 2,879

818 3.5 675 3.1 784 6.5
82 1.6 140 4.6

31,355 4,653 4,525 9,685
10,529

29,723 4,313 4,339 9,387 9,920

1,632 5.2 340 7.3 186 4.1 298 3.1 609 5.8

32,659 32,985 16,090
2,369 9,444

31,401 31,682 15,420
2,112 8,945

1,258 3.9 1,303 4.0
670 4.2 257 10.8 499 5.3

11,746 1,226 2,169 10,227 51,661

11,258 1,178 2,019 9,938 50,079

488 4.2 48 3.9
150 6.9 289 2.8 1,582 3.1

3,495 5,148 4,422 10,073

3,347 4,724 4,174 9,583

148 4.2 424 8.2 248 5.6 490 4.9

13

New Developments

The expansion of the industrial park complex in
Habersham County has paid its initial dividend. Glenroe Technologies, a manufacturer of orthodontic products headquartered in Brandenton, Florida, plans to open a new facility on December 1st of this year. They will occupy lot #7 located on Industrial Boulevard near the Habersham County airport outside of Baldwin. A company spokesman stated that they would initially hire 50 new employees most which would be local.
A number of factors were behind Viracon's deci-
sion to expand their manufacturing facility in Bulloch County. The company has experienced very good business this year with a record setting profit sharing payout to its employees along with new sales initiatives that have been a boost. Also, they are competing to install glass on the Freedom Tower and two other New York skyscrapers. A European competitor, Interpane, pulled out of the U. S. market in July. Viracon was able to pick up some of that company's equipment at auction which included an insulated glass coater and insulated glass line. The Statesboro expansion will house the aforementioned equipment which is already being installed. The 12 million dollar, 60,000 square foot expansion will add about 125 jobs to the community. Recruitment sources for the positions will include the Georgia Department of Labor, job advertisements, Ogeechee Technical College and Georgia Southern University.
A spec building in Washington County that has
been mostly vacant for 16 years has a new tenant. Zorlu USA, a Turkish textile conglomerate, will occupy the building after an expansion is complete. The floor space is being increased from 56,000 to 152,000 square feet to accommodate the new Sandersville firm. Most of the 35 jobs that will be created will be stock-type jobs, but the company will fill 12 office positions as well. The employment should increase to 50 temporarily during two peak periods of business activity during the year.
An announced $20 million capital investment will
result in 25 new jobs at F & P Georgia Manu-

facturing in Floyd County by mid-2005. The company, which makes subframe automobile assemblies and suspension parts, has been in Rome for four years. This makes the second expansion for them during that time. The expansion will add an additional 62,000 square feet to the current 145,000 square foot facility. The addition will house a new stamping plant and new equipment. The Rome-Floyd County Development Authority expressed their appreciation to F & P for its continuing growth and for doing business with other local companies.
Ceramic proppants are the product of Carbo Ce-
ramics that has broken ground on a new $62 million manufacturing facility in Wilkinson County. After the completion of the Toomsboro facility at the end of 2005, about 50 new employees will have been added to the local workforce. These ceramic proppants are tiny beads that are forced into natural gas and oil wells to fracture rock formations and facilitate the extraction of oil and gas deposits. The new plant is expected to have an annual production capacity of 250 million pounds that will be an increase over the current production capabilities of 35 percent. This new construction is the second in a possible four-phase grand plan that could see the addition of two other manufacturing plants in Wilkinson County. Carbo, which is based out of Irving, Texas, operates other manufacturing plants in New Iberia, Louisiana, Eufaula, Alabama, Luoyang, China, and neighboring McIntyre, Georgia.
The Mercer Engineering Research Center has
purchased land behind its current location for an immediate expansion in Houston County. They will double the size of their existing facility by adding a new 53,000 square foot building. The intent is to expand their electronics and electro-mechanical systems design and prototype facilities as well as their project laboratories. The addition will also include nine new laboratories and a large storage space so that equipment can be moved in and out as needed. The results of the project will net Warner-Robins 60 new jobs over the next three to five years. The majority of these positions will be filled by engineering professionals. The project is expected to reach completion in September of 2005.

14

Georgia Unemployment Rates by County
October 2004

Dade Catoosa

Whitfield

Walker

Murray

Chattooga

Gordon

Floyd

Bartow

Fannin

Towns

Union

Rabun

Gilmer Pickens Cherokee

White Haber-

Lumpkin

sham Stephens

Dawson Forsyth

Hall Banks Franklin Jackson Madison

Hart Elbert

6.0% to 9.9% 4.2% to 5.9% Less than 4.2%

Polk Haralson

Cobb Paulding
Douglas

Gwinnett Barrow Clarke

Oconee Oglethorpe

DeKalb

Walton

Rock-

Wilkes

Lincoln

Carroll

Fulton Clayton

dale Newton

Morgan Greene Taliaferro

Columbia

Heard

Fayette Henry

Coweta

Spalding Butts Jasper

Putnam

Hancock

McDuffie Warren
Glascock

Richmond

Troup Meriwether Pike Lamar Monroe Jones Baldwin

Jefferson Washington

Burke

Upson

Harris

Talbot

Bibb

Wilkinson

Crawford

Twiggs

Johnson

Jenkins Emanuel

Screven

Muscogee

Taylor

Peach

Marion Chattahoo-

Macon

Houston Bleckley

Laurens

Treutlen

Candler Bulloch Effingham

chee

Schley Stewart Webster Sumter

Dooly

Pulaski Dodge Wilcox

Montgomery Wheeler Toombs

Evans

Tattnall

Bryan Chatham

Crisp

Telfair

Quitman

Randolph Terrell

Lee

Turner

Ben Hill

Jeff Davis Appling

Liberty Long

Clay Calhoun Dougherty

Early Miller

Baker Mitchell

Worth Colquitt

Irwin Tift

Coffee

Berrien Atkinson

Cook

Lanier

Seminole Decatur

Grady Thomas Brooks

Lowndes

Clinch

Echols

Bacon

Wayne

Pierce

Ware

Brantley

McIntosh Glynn

Charlton

Camden

Georgia's Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
15

Georgia Unemployment Insurance Claims by County

County

October Average Initial Weekly Average
Claims Benefit Duration

County

October Average Initial Weekly Average
Claims Benefit Duration

Appling

82 ...... $227 ..... 10.6

Atkinson

35 ...... $183 ..... 12.6

Bacon

24 ...... $197 ..... 11.1

Baker

13 ...... $149 ..... 11.0

Baldwin

185 ...... $163 ..... 10.0

Banks

44 ...... $218 ..... 10.7

Barrow

189 ...... $213 ..... 12.5

Bartow

431 ...... $222 ..... 11.5

Ben Hill

59 ...... $179 ....... 7.2

Berrien

40 ...... $182 ....... 8.2

Bibb

555 ...... $179 ..... 13.9

Bleckley

149 ...... $190 ....... 8.6

Brantley

64 ...... $227 ..... 11.4

Brooks

24 ...... $192 ..... 10.3

Bryan

56 ...... $221 ..... 12.2

Bulloch

124 ...... $194 ..... 14.4

Burke

94 ...... $168 ..... 12.5

Butts

81 ...... $187 ..... 13.3

Calhoun

16 ...... $158 ..... 13.2

Camden

85 ...... $199 ..... 12.5

Candler

19 ...... $162 ..... 12.0

Carroll

337 ...... $216 ..... 11.9

Catoosa

161 ...... $230 ....... 8.6

Charlton

15 ...... $188 ..... 17.1

Chatham

468 ...... $195 ..... 14.2

Chattahoochee 7 ...... $172 ..... 12.0

Chattooga

54 ...... $216 ..... 14.9

Cherokee

410 ...... $243 ..... 14.7

Clarke

255 ...... $187 ..... 14.1

Clay

10 ...... $191 ..... 10.0

Clayton

930 ...... $216 ..... 15.4

Clinch

46 ...... $169 ..... 12.3

Cobb

1,423 ...... $240 ..... 16.3

Coffee

167 ...... $180 ..... 11.7

Colquitt

146 ...... $160 ....... 9.1

Columbia

242 ...... $219 ..... 13.2

Cook

77 ...... $186 ....... 9.7

Coweta

258 ...... $227 ..... 12.4

Crawford

71 ...... $229 ..... 15.4

Crisp

143 ...... $143 ....... 8.3

Dade

22 ...... $200 ....... 5.8

Dawson

64 ...... $229 ..... 12.3

Decatur

102 ...... $183 ..... 13.0

DeKalb

2,260 ...... $224 ..... 15.1

Dodge

128 ...... $183 ..... 10.5

Dooly

69 ...... $161 ....... 7.1

Dougherty

347 ...... $166 ..... 14.1

Douglas

264 ...... $240 ..... 14.8

Early

38 ...... $169 ..... 12.2

Echols

7 ...... $218 ..... 12.4

Effingham

72 ...... $236 ..... 12.7

Elbert

152 ...... $174 ....... 8.1

Emanuel

85 ...... $173 ..... 10.5

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 Macon Madison Marion McDuffie McIntosh Meriwether Miller Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray Muscogee

18 ...... $188 ..... 10.1 61 ...... $194 ....... 9.6 119 ...... $247 ..... 15.6 563 ...... $212 ..... 11.1 312 ...... $253 ..... 15.0 172 ...... $209 ..... 10.2 2,496 ...... $219 ..... 15.8 118 ...... $221 ....... 8.6
5 ...... $182 ..... 13.4 223 ...... $198 ..... 12.1 461 ...... $211 ....... 7.1 112 ...... $172 ..... 10.0
45 ...... $174 ..... 11.6 1,648 ...... $243 ..... 15.0
125 ...... $210 ....... 7.9 712 ...... $223 ..... 10.4
60 ...... $144 ....... 9.8 83 ...... $209 ..... 11.5 72 ...... $213 ..... 10.2 153 ...... $191 ....... 8.3 29 ...... $210 ..... 10.3 331 ...... $235 ..... 15.2 450 ...... $207 ..... 12.5 38 ...... $207 ....... 7.4 128 ...... $214 ..... 11.7 47 ...... $242 ..... 12.8 156 ...... $183 ....... 7.5 89 ...... $165 ..... 13.2 56 ...... $132 ....... 9.5 47 ...... $167 ....... 8.5 54 ...... $214 ..... 14.9 67 ...... $180 ..... 11.2 13 ...... $169 ..... 11.0 484 ...... $166 ..... 11.4 51 ...... $231 ..... 10.6 100 ...... $178 ..... 12.6 51 ...... $198 ..... 10.1 20 ...... $217 ..... 13.1 224 ...... $173 ..... 10.9 60 ...... $227 ....... 7.4 146 ...... $195 ..... 10.9 91 ...... $204 ..... 12.0 17 ...... $169 ..... 13.5 165 ...... $180 ..... 10.1 27 ...... $205 ..... 13.0 93 ...... $210 ..... 10.8 13 ...... $197 ..... 10.9 71 ...... $158 ..... 14.0 74 ...... $221 ..... 13.2 62 ...... $198 ....... 8.7 39 ...... $193 ..... 12.1 362 ...... $219 ....... 5.6 684 ...... $173 ..... 11.2

Initial claims include intrastate initial and additional claims, as well as agent state initial and additional claims for regular UI only. Average duration of benefits is represented in weeks.

16

County

October Average Initial Weekly Average
Claims Benefit Duration

Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth

235 ...... $221 ..... 14.8 34 ...... $241 ..... 13.6 56 ...... $199 ..... 11.8
246 ...... $241 ..... 14.6 280 ...... $196 ..... 13.8
56 ...... $220 ..... 11.8 54 ...... $202 ..... 13.7 64 ...... $191 ..... 12.9 281 ...... $207 ..... 10.1 63 ...... $186 ....... 7.9 77 ...... $179 ....... 7.6
0 ...... $175 ..... 18.3 27 ...... $180 ....... 9.9 32 ...... $176 ..... 10.6 796 ...... $183 ..... 12.8 192 ...... $228 ..... 14.6 15 ...... $202 ..... 10.0 109 ...... $191 ....... 9.8 18 ...... $187 ..... 11.4 299 ...... $183 ..... 12.6 153 ...... $217 ..... 10.4 31 ...... $188 ..... 16.7 172 ...... $155 ..... 10.9 33 ...... $193 ..... 10.7
6 ...... $189 ..... 12.0 46 ...... $183 ..... 11.2 112 ...... $232 ..... 11.1 41 ...... $193 ..... 12.7 29 ...... $155 ....... 9.0 176 ...... $170 ..... 12.4 194 ...... $167 ....... 8.6 192 ...... $188 ..... 10.4 12 ...... $169 ....... 9.9 38 ...... $185 ....... 9.1 260 ...... $205 ....... 9.2 71 ...... $158 ....... 8.9 49 ...... $188 ..... 11.5 36 ...... $205 ..... 12.7 131 ...... $187 ..... 11.4 385 ...... $235 ....... 8.0 171 ...... $218 ..... 13.5 122 ...... $171 ..... 12.6 56 ...... $162 ....... 7.4 75 ...... $144 ..... 12.3 122 ...... $210 ..... 11.8
7 ...... $173 ..... 14.2 25 ...... $189 ..... 10.5 73 ...... $214 ..... 10.4 1,015 ...... $212 ....... 5.3 40 ...... $187 ....... 7.1 75 ...... $160 ..... 12.4 53 ...... $179 ..... 12.4 156 ...... $185 ..... 10.4

Unemployment Insurance Statistics

Thousands 100

Initial claims
2003 -- 2004

90

2003

2004

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

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

Average duration of benifits

Weeks

Last 12 months

13.5

12.9

12.8 12.8 12.8 12.8

12.8

12.7

12.6 12.6

12.5

12.4

12.5 12.3

11.5

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

03

04

Initial claims down for third consecutive month...

For the first time since February, March and April of 2000, initial claims have fallen for three consecutive months, as October's total of 31,607 dipped 2.6 percent when compared to September's total of 32,456. September's figure was down by almost 2,000 when compared to August's total of 34,383, and August's total fell by over 5,000 when compared to July's sum of 39,760. Initial claims have decreased by over 8,000 over the last three months.
Of the 31,607 initial claims filed during the month, 21,425 (67.8%) were for new claims, a drop of 11.2 percent. There were 9,109 additional claims filed during October (28.8% of the initial claims total), a drop of 30.7 percent when compared to the same month one year ago. The Atlanta metropolitan statistical area accounted for 12,864 initial claims during October, a decrease of 17.8 percent over the year. Albany (-43.9%), Columbus (-43.4%), Athens (-38.6%) and Savannah (-27.2%) all experienced significant declines in

initial claims while Augusta saw a slight dip of 2.0 percent. Initial claims rose 2.2 percent over the year in Macon.
The number of separated workers receiving a benefit check fell over the month, sliding from 56,954 in September to 54,765 during October, a downturn of 3.8 percent. When compared to last October, this month's figure diminished by over 15 thousand (-22.1%). Benefit payments, $39,553,151 in October, also fell both monthly and yearly, descending 5.9 percent and 26.2 percent respectively.
Benefit exhaustions tapered over the month, as October's total of 5,839 was down 6.5 percent when compared to September's figure of 6,243. Final payments took a dive of 27.3 percent over the year. The average length of an unemployment insurance claim fell to 12.4 weeks during the month, the lowest figure in a year. The duration stood at 12.2 weeks last October.

Statistical Trends

October 2004

October 2003

Net Change

Percent Change

Initial Claims .............................................................. 31,607 ................................ 38,935 ................................... -7,328 ............................. -18.8%

Continued Weeks Claimed ..................................... 212,088 .............................. 261,021 ................................. -48,933 ............................. -18.7%

Beneficiaries ........................................................... 54,765 ................................ 70,273 ................................. -15,508 ............................. -22.1%

Benefits Paid .................................................. $39,553,151 ....................... $53,626,227 ....................... -$14,073,076 ............................. -26.2%

Weeks Paid ............................................................ 168,813 .............................. 225,341 ................................. -56,528 ............................. -25.1%

First Payments ......................................................... 13,739 ................................ 15,767 ................................... -2,028 ............................. -12.9%

Final Payments .......................................................... 5,839 .................................. 8,031 ................................... -2,192 ............................. -27.3%

Average Weekly Benefit ....................................... $234.30 .............................. $237.98 ................................... -$3.68 ............................... -1.5%

Average Duration (weeks) ......................................... 12.4 .................................... 12.2 ........................................ 0.2 ................................. 1.6%

Trust Fund Balance ...................................... $856,372,991 ..................... $782,516,947 ......................... $73,856,044 ................................. 9.4%

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Unemployment Insurance Claims ................ Dec. 9
Georgia Unemployment Rate/ Non-farmEmployment ......... Dec. 16 Civilian Labor Force/Area Unemployment Rates ......... Dec. 23
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