February 2004 Data Highlights February job growth is lowest in recent history..........................Page 2 payrolls across Georgia expanded by 0.1 percent in February, the lowest February over-the-month growth rate in over a decade. Georgia's unemployment rate drops to lowest level since June 2001......Page 8 In February, Georgia continued to maintain a comfortable lead in the Southeast. New Developments.................. Page 14 Initial claims drop while average duration rises... .................... Page 17 Over the last six months the average duration has risen from 12.0 weeks to 12.7 weeks. WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team .................. Page 19 Volume XXX, Number 2 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 February Employment Situation Nonfarm payrolls across Georgia expanded by an additional 4,000 jobs in February. This represents a 0.1 percent increase in employment over the month. The current January-to-February rate of job growth is the lowest in 13 years. The last January-toFebruary growth rate lower than the current rate was in 1991 when employment contracted in February. Over the year, Georgia payrolls have expanded by 0.5 percent (+20,700 jobs). The increase in monthly employment is due to both the "Goods-Producing" sector and the "Service-Providing" sector adding jobs. Industries producing goods created 2,200 jobs for the month and industries providing services added 1,800 workers. Percent 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 Total NonFarm Jan-to-Feb Job Growth 1991 through 2004 0.9% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.5% 0.6% 0.6% 0.7% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.2% 0.2 0.1% 0.0 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 -0.2 -0.3% -0.4 While employment in Georgia's Natural Resources and Mining sector was unchanged for the month, the Construction sector experienced a reduction in over-the-month employment. The industry lost 500 workers (0.3%) during the month. The Construction sector does, however, have 5,700 more jobs this February than in February of last year. Construction of Buildings added 200 workers over the month and has 1,300 more workers on its payrolls over the year. Over the month, the Heavy and Civil Engineering industry created 300 jobs and the Specialty Trade Contractors industry lost 1,000 jobs. The Manufacturing sector experienced an employment upturn during February. The sector gained 2,700 payroll workers (+0.6%) for the month. Over the year, the industry has lost 9,500 jobs. Industries manufacturing Durable Goods, by adding 2,200 workers, accounted for most of the month-to-month growth in the Manufacturing sector. The Non-Durable Goods sector added 500 jobs for the month and lost 4,400 workers for the year. Payrolls in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector dropped over the month and year, respectively, by 1,600 and 3,400 jobs. Jobs in the Wholesale Trade industry remained unchanged for the month, which results in the industry having 1,700 more jobs this February than February a year ago. Retail Trade is still feeling the effects of holiday cutbacks as the industry lost 800 jobs over the month. The Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities industry followed suit with the Retail Trade industry in that it also lost 800 payroll employees over the month. The Information sector gained 400 workers in February, a 0.4 percent increase for the month. This sector has, subsequently, decreased in job level by 2,200 workers in the past twelve months. The Telecommunications industry slightly increased its payrolls over the month by 100 jobs. For the month, Internet Service Providers also had a slight job increase; they increased payrolls by 200 workers. Over the year, the two aforementioned industries have 1,400 more and 500 fewer workers, respectively. Over the month, there was a relatively small increase of 100 payroll employees in the Financial Activities sector. For February, this slight monthly increase corresponds to there being 5,300 more jobs in the sector this month than in February of last year. The Finance and Insurance industry added 100 and 1,400 jobs, respectively, for the month and year. The Real Estate, Rental and Leasing industry experienced no change in payroll employment over the month but has 3,600 more payroll employees over the year. The Professional and Business Services sector displayed an employment increase of 0.3 percent (+1,300 jobs) for the month and 1.6 percent (+7,800 jobs) for the year. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry accounts for most of the over-the-month and over-the-year job gain in the sector by adding, respectively, 2,300 and 5,100 workers. The Management of Companies industry added 1,000 jobs for the month and has an additional 900 workers over the year. The Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation industry lowered monthly payrolls by 2,000 workers. The Education and Health Services sector added 500 jobs over the month, which is an additional 4,300 jobs over the year. The Educational Services industry picked up 900 workers for the month, and there are 1,200 fewer jobs in the industry than at the same time a year ago. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry lost 400 jobs over the month but has 5,500 more workers in the industry now than in February last year. Payrolls in the Leisure and Hospitality sector increased by 0.2 percent for the month and by 2.0 percent for the year. The Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry has an additional 100 jobs for the month but 400 fewer workers than in February last year. The Accommodation and Food Services industry picked up 600 workers over the month and has an additional 7,000 jobs over the year. In February, payrolls in Other Services contracted by 0.6 percent (-1,000 jobs). Since a year ago the industry has expanded by 2.6 percent (+4,300 jobs). The Government sector added 1,400 workers over the month (+0.2%). The sector has 1,300 more jobs over-the-year (+0.2%). The Federal Government has lost 300 and 2,700 workers overthe-month and year, respectively. State Government added 600 jobs for the month but has 1,900 fewer workers for the year. Local Government added 1,100 jobs for the month and has 5,900 more workers this February than last. 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 FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change in Jobs from JAN 2004 Net % Change in Jobs from FEB 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 3,848.3 3,209.0 658.1 3,190.2 12.4 195.7 43.8 34.2 117.7 450.0 200.4 22.5 43.3 249.6 66.0 810.6 205.8 431.8 77.7 86.1 173.0 20.5 152.5 37.9 45.5 18.7 23.0 127.2 56.2 30.4 16.0 19.4 218.3 158.8 64.8 59.5 495.9 199.6 30.7 31.4 45.5 24.9 53.0 243.3 112.4 388.1 60.7 36.3 327.4 110.8 44.9 46.4 341.2 31.7 309.5 270.8 169.6 639.3 92.9 32.8 154.8 69.6 391.6 242.6 3,844.3 3,206.4 655.9 3,188.4 12.4 196.2 43.6 33.9 118.7 447.3 198.2 23.4 40.6 249.1 65.9 812.2 205.8 432.6 77.3 87.8 173.8 20.6 153.2 38.1 45.3 18.2 23.8 126.8 56.1 30.5 15.8 19.2 218.2 158.7 64.9 59.5 494.6 197.3 29.6 32.0 44.6 24.5 52.0 245.3 112.7 387.6 59.8 35.9 327.8 110.4 45.3 46.6 340.5 31.6 308.9 271.2 170.6 637.9 93.2 32.8 154.2 69.1 390.5 241.7 3,827.6 3,189.6 661.4 3,166.2 11.9 190.0 42.5 30.4 117.1 459.5 205.5 23.4 43.7 254.0 66.3 814.0 204.1 436.1 79.8 86.3 173.8 20.2 153.6 40.0 45.4 19.0 22.5 129.4 54.8 30.9 13.6 19.9 213.0 157.1 64.4 55.9 488.1 194.5 33.2 33.1 44.0 22.7 52.1 241.5 113.8 383.8 61.9 36.6 321.9 107.4 48.0 46.4 334.6 32.1 302.5 262.2 165.3 638.0 95.6 32.7 156.7 69.2 385.7 239.5 +4.0 +0.1 +2.6 +0.1 +2.2 +0.3 +1.8 +0.1 +.0 +0.0 -.5 -0.3 +.2 +0.5 +.3 +0.9 -1.0 -0.8 +2.7 +0.6 +2.2 +1.1 -.9 -3.8 +2.7 +6.7 +.5 +0.2 +.1 +0.2 -1.6 -0.2 +.0 +0.0 -.8 -0.2 +.4 +0.5 -1.7 -1.9 -.8 -0.5 -.1 -0.5 -.7 -0.5 -.2 -0.5 +.2 +0.4 +.5 +2.7 -.8 -3.4 +.4 +0.3 +.1 +0.2 -.1 -0.3 +.2 +1.3 +.2 +1.0 +.1 +0.0 +.1 +0.1 -.1 -0.2 +.0 +0.0 +1.3 +0.3 +2.3 +1.2 +1.1 +3.7 -.6 -1.9 +.9 +2.0 +.4 +1.6 +1.0 +1.9 -2.0 -0.8 -.3 -0.3 +.5 +0.1 +.9 +1.5 +.4 +1.1 -.4 -0.1 +.4 +0.4 -.4 -0.9 -.2 -0.4 +.7 +0.2 +.1 +0.3 +.6 +0.2 -.4 -0.1 -1.0 -0.6 +1.4 +0.2 -.3 -0.3 +.0 +0.0 +.6 +0.4 +.5 +0.7 +1.1 +0.3 +.9 +0.4 +20.7 +19.4 -3.3 +24.0 +.5 +5.7 +1.3 +3.8 +.6 -9.5 -5.1 -.9 -.4 -4.4 -.3 -3.4 +1.7 -4.3 -2.1 -.2 -.8 +.3 -1.1 -2.1 +.1 -.3 +.5 -2.2 +1.4 -.5 +2.4 -.5 +5.3 +1.7 +.4 +3.6 +7.8 +5.1 -2.5 -1.7 +1.5 +2.2 +.9 +1.8 -1.4 +4.3 -1.2 -.3 +5.5 +3.4 -3.1 +.0 +6.6 -.4 +7.0 +8.6 +4.3 +1.3 -2.7 +.1 -1.9 +.4 +5.9 +3.1 +0.5 +0.6 -0.5 +0.8 +4.2 +3.0 +3.1 +12.5 +0.5 -2.1 -2.5 -3.8 -0.9 -1.7 -0.5 -0.4 +0.8 -1.0 -2.6 -0.2 -0.5 +1.5 -0.7 -5.3 +0.2 -1.6 +2.2 -1.7 +2.6 -1.6 +17.6 -2.5 +2.5 +1.1 +0.6 +6.4 +1.6 +2.6 -7.5 -5.1 +3.4 +9.7 +1.7 +0.7 -1.2 +1.1 -1.9 -0.8 +1.7 +3.2 -6.5 +0.0 +2.0 -1.2 +2.3 +3.3 +2.6 +0.2 -2.8 +0.3 -1.2 +0.6 +1.5 +1.3 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 FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change in Jobs from JAN 2004 Net % Change in Jobs from FEB 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 2,154.8 1,861.9 287.4 1,867.4 1.9 115.7 24.0 72.9 169.8 89.4 12.4 21.1 80.4 22.8 486.7 136.2 236.4 42.4 43.4 114.1 10.5 103.6 37.6 24.3 14.9 12.1 97.1 44.7 25.2 13.3 147.1 106.4 45.9 40.7 340.7 147.7 21.4 25.8 34.2 19.7 37.9 155.1 65.6 213.4 169.0 57.1 26.7 198.9 19.0 179.9 159.6 90.6 292.9 45.0 58.4 189.5 2,151.5 1,859.6 286.5 1,865.0 1.9 116.9 24.3 74.3 167.7 87.5 12.1 18.8 80.2 22.5 488.3 136.4 237.7 41.9 44.4 114.2 10.5 103.7 37.7 24.1 14.5 12.6 96.7 44.4 25.1 13.1 147.3 106.5 45.9 40.8 338.0 146.5 20.6 26.3 33.2 19.3 36.6 154.9 65.4 213.2 169.1 56.8 27.3 197.7 18.6 179.1 158.7 91.9 291.9 45.1 58.3 188.5 2,139.8 1,849.7 285.1 1,854.7 1.7 111.8 24.7 72.1 171.6 89.0 12.3 20.3 82.6 22.7 489.1 137.0 236.7 43.9 43.7 115.4 10.5 104.9 38.8 24.0 15.2 11.5 98.2 44.0 26.2 11.9 147.0 107.3 46.2 39.7 335.5 145.4 22.0 25.2 33.3 19.1 36.8 153.3 67.2 211.6 165.5 57.1 26.0 190.7 20.5 170.2 148.3 92.5 290.1 47.6 59.2 183.3 +3.3 +0.2 +2.3 +0.1 +.9 +0.3 +2.4 +0.1 +.0 +0.0 -1.2 -1.0 -.3 -1.2 -1.4 -1.9 +2.1 +1.3 +1.9 +2.2 +.3 +2.5 +2.3 +12.2 +.2 +0.2 +.3 +1.3 -1.6 -0.3 -.2 -0.1 -1.3 -0.5 +.5 +1.2 -1.0 -2.3 -.1 -0.1 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.1 -.1 -0.3 +.2 +0.8 +.4 +2.8 -.5 -4.0 +.4 +0.4 +.3 +0.7 +.1 +0.4 +.2 +1.5 -.2 -0.1 -.1 -0.1 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.2 +2.7 +0.8 +1.2 +0.8 +.8 +3.9 -.5 -1.9 +1.0 +3.0 +.4 +2.1 +1.3 +3.6 +.2 +0.1 +.2 +0.3 +.2 +0.1 -.1 -0.1 +.3 +0.5 -.6 -2.2 +1.2 +0.6 +.4 +2.2 +.8 +0.4 +.9 +0.6 -1.3 -1.4 +1.0 +0.3 -.1 -0.2 +.1 +0.2 +1.0 +0.5 +15.0 +12.2 +2.3 +12.7 +.2 +3.9 -.7 +.8 -1.8 +.4 +.1 +.8 -2.2 +.1 -2.4 -.8 -.3 -1.5 -.3 -1.3 +.0 -1.3 -1.2 +.3 -.3 +.6 -1.1 +.7 -1.0 +1.4 +.1 -.9 -.3 +1.0 +5.2 +2.3 -.6 +.6 +.9 +.6 +1.1 +1.8 -1.6 +1.8 +3.5 +.0 +.7 +8.2 -1.5 +9.7 +11.3 -1.9 +2.8 -2.6 -.8 +6.2 +0.7 +0.7 +0.8 +0.7 +11.8 +3.5 -2.8 +1.1 -1.0 +0.4 +0.8 +3.9 -2.7 +0.4 -0.5 -0.6 -0.1 -3.4 -0.7 -1.1 +0.0 -1.2 -3.1 +1.3 -2.0 +5.2 -1.1 +1.6 -3.8 +11.8 +0.1 -0.8 -0.6 +2.5 +1.5 +1.6 -2.7 +2.4 +2.7 +3.1 +3.0 +1.2 -2.4 +0.9 +2.1 +0.0 +2.7 +4.3 -7.3 +5.7 +7.6 -2.1 +1.0 -5.5 -1.4 +3.4 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 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 FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change in Jobs from JAN 2004 Net % Change in Jobs from FEB 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 56.8 57.1 45.1 45.4 10.0 10.1 46.8 47.0 3.0 3.0 7.0 7.1 11.7 11.7 2.0 2.0 6.9 6.9 2.8 2.8 1.0 1.0 2.1 2.1 5.2 5.4 8.2 8.2 4.2 4.2 2.7 2.7 11.7 11.7 2.3 2.3 9.4 9.4 55.8 -.3 -0.5 +1.0 +1.8 44.4 -.3 -0.7 +.7 +1.6 10.0 -.1 -1.0 +.0 +0.0 45.8 -.2 -0.4 +1.0 +2.2 2.8 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +7.1 7.2 -.1 -1.4 -.2 -2.8 11.7 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 1.9 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +5.3 7.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.4 2.8 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 1.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 2.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +5.0 5.0 -.2 -3.7 +.2 +4.0 8.0 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +2.5 4.1 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +2.4 2.6 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +3.8 11.4 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +2.6 2.3 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 9.1 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +3.3 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 FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change in Jobs from JAN 2004 Net % Change in Jobs from FEB 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 73.5 73.1 52.4 52.1 11.6 11.5 61.9 61.6 2.8 2.8 8.8 8.7 11.7 11.7 1.9 1.9 8.5 8.5 1.3 1.3 .9 .9 2.6 2.6 6.0 6.0 9.2 9.1 6.6 6.5 3.8 3.8 21.1 21.0 1.7 1.7 19.4 19.3 74.6 +.4 +0.5 -1.1 -1.5 53.2 +.3 +0.6 -.8 -1.5 12.5 +.1 +0.9 -.9 -7.2 62.1 +.3 +0.5 -.2 -0.3 2.9 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -3.4 9.6 +.1 +1.1 -.8 -8.3 12.0 +.0 +0.0 -.3 -2.5 2.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -5.0 8.8 +.0 +0.0 -.3 -3.4 1.2 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +8.3 1.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -10.0 2.5 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +4.0 5.4 +.0 +0.0 +.6 +11.1 9.1 +.1 +1.1 +.1 +1.1 7.0 +.1 +1.5 -.4 -5.7 3.7 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +2.7 21.4 +.1 +0.5 -.3 -1.4 1.8 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -5.6 19.6 +.1 +0.5 -.2 -1.0 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 2003 benchmark. Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis 5 Augusta-Aiken Nonagricultural Employment (000s) Preliminary FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change in Jobs from JAN 2004 Net % Change in Jobs from FEB 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 201.8 162.3 37.9 163.9 13.1 24.8 32.2 4.0 23.3 4.9 3.4 7.4 29.7 25.2 5.2 20.0 6.4 18.6 7.9 39.5 7.2 32.3 202.0 162.5 37.6 164.4 13.0 24.6 32.4 4.0 23.5 4.9 3.4 7.5 29.8 25.3 5.2 20.1 6.4 18.6 7.9 39.5 7.2 32.3 198.8 158.7 37.6 161.2 12.3 25.3 32.0 3.8 23.4 4.8 3.2 7.1 29.1 24.4 5.0 19.4 6.4 17.8 7.5 40.1 7.1 33.0 -.2 -0.1 -.2 -0.1 +.3 +0.8 -.5 -0.3 +.1 +0.8 +.2 +0.8 -.2 -0.6 +.0 +0.0 -.2 -0.9 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.3 -.1 -0.3 -.1 -0.4 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +3.0 +1.5 +3.6 +2.3 +.3 +0.8 +2.7 +1.7 +.8 +6.5 -.5 -2.0 +.2 +0.6 +.2 +5.3 -.1 -0.4 +.1 +2.1 +.2 +6.3 +.3 +4.2 +.6 +2.1 +.8 +3.3 +.2 +4.0 +.6 +3.1 +.0 +0.0 +.8 +4.5 +.4 +5.3 -.6 -1.5 +.1 +1.4 -.7 -2.1 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 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 FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change in Jobs from JAN 2004 Net % Change in Jobs from FEB 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 96.4 19.3 98.1 5.4 13.9 17.5 2.5 13.2 1.8 6.4 8.8 7.0 4.8 12.5 13.1 13.1 12.1 5.7 21.0 4.9 16.1 117.1 96.2 19.3 97.8 5.4 13.9 17.6 2.5 13.3 1.8 6.3 8.8 6.9 4.7 12.4 13.1 13.1 12.1 5.6 20.9 4.9 16.0 115.0 94.7 21.7 93.3 5.4 16.3 16.9 2.1 13.1 1.7 6.2 8.5 6.7 4.7 11.2 12.9 11.8 10.6 5.5 20.3 4.9 15.4 +.3 +0.3 +.2 +0.2 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +0.3 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.6 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.8 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +1.6 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +1.4 +.1 +2.1 +.1 +0.8 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +1.8 +.1 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.6 +2.4 +2.1 +1.7 +1.8 -2.4 -11.1 +4.8 +5.1 +.0 +0.0 -2.4 -14.7 +.6 +3.6 +.4 +19.0 +.1 +0.8 +.1 +5.9 +.2 +3.2 +.3 +3.5 +.3 +4.5 +.1 +2.1 +1.3 +11.6 +.2 +1.6 +1.3 +11.0 +1.5 +14.2 +.2 +3.6 +.7 +3.4 +.0 +0.0 +.7 +4.5 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 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 FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change in Jobs from JAN 2004 Net % Change in Jobs from FEB 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 150.2 115.2 19.5 130.7 6.0 13.5 25.7 3.5 18.0 4.2 2.8 10.7 16.8 20.7 13.3 5.7 35.0 14.2 20.8 150.4 115.4 19.6 130.8 6.0 13.6 25.9 3.5 18.2 4.2 2.8 10.7 16.6 20.7 13.4 5.7 35.0 14.3 20.7 147.4 112.1 20.6 126.8 6.1 14.5 25.3 3.4 17.9 4.0 2.7 9.7 15.0 19.9 13.5 5.4 35.3 14.4 20.9 -.2 -0.1 -.2 -0.2 -.1 -0.5 -.1 -0.1 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.7 -.2 -0.8 +.0 +0.0 -.2 -1.1 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.2 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.7 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.7 +.1 +0.5 +2.8 +3.1 -1.1 +3.9 -.1 -1.0 +.4 +.1 +.1 +.2 +.1 +1.0 +1.8 +.8 -.2 +.3 -.3 -.2 -.1 +1.9 +2.8 -5.3 +3.1 -1.6 -6.9 +1.6 +2.9 +0.6 +5.0 +3.7 +10.3 +12.0 +4.0 -1.5 +5.6 -0.8 -1.4 -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 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 FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change in Jobs from JAN 2004 Net % Change in Jobs from FEB 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 140.5 119.1 21.5 119.0 8.5 13.0 29.8 5.0 16.9 7.9 1.9 6.4 15.4 19.2 17.8 7.1 21.4 2.7 18.7 140.2 118.9 21.5 118.7 8.4 13.1 30.0 5.0 17.0 8.0 1.9 6.5 15.2 19.0 17.7 7.1 21.3 2.7 18.6 136.7 115.7 22.4 114.3 8.5 13.9 29.9 4.9 17.3 7.7 1.9 5.5 13.1 19.3 16.6 7.0 21.0 2.7 18.3 +.3 +0.2 +.2 +0.2 +.0 +0.0 +.3 +0.3 +.1 +1.2 -.1 -0.8 -.2 -0.7 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.6 -.1 -1.3 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.5 +.2 +1.3 +.2 +1.1 +.1 +0.6 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.5 +3.8 +2.8 +3.4 +2.9 -.9 -4.0 +4.7 +4.1 +.0 +0.0 -.9 -6.5 -.1 -0.3 +.1 +2.0 -.4 -2.3 +.2 +2.6 +.0 +0.0 +.9 +16.4 +2.3 +17.6 -.1 -0.5 +1.2 +7.2 +.1 +1.4 +.4 +1.9 +.0 +0.0 +.4 +2.2 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 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 declines Unemployment rates -- Georgia and U.S. in February 7.5% Georgia's unemployment rate, at 3.8 Ge orgia U.S . percent in February, dropped over the 6.5% month by three-tenths of a percentage point to its lowest monthly level since June 2001. This was the first time in twenty-two years the state's jobless rate 5.5% has bucked the January to February upward trend. In fact, if we look at the entire 35-year historical series, 4.5% Georgia's rate has declined only four times during this period. The remainder of the time the rate has increased thirty times and remained the same only once. In February 2003, the state's unemployment rate was 4.8 percent. 3.5% Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Se p O ct Nov Dec 2002 Jan Feb 2004 The U.S. unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, was also down threetenths of a percentage point in February to 6.0 percent. One year ago, unemployment in the nation was at 6.4 percent. By comparison, Georgia's rate continued to compare favorably to the nation as a month drops in the total number of reentrants and new entrants in February. They dropped by respective rates of 63.5 percent and 62 percent. Over the year, Georgia's unemployment level was down by more than 42,000. That translates to a decline of more than 20 percent. the highest metro area rate in the state. Athens, at 2.5 percent had the lowest rate. Along with Athens, only two other MSAs, Macon, at 3.4 percent, and Savannah, at 3.2 percent, had jobless rates that prevailed below the statewide average this month. whole. A decline in the number of persons receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during the reference week in February caused the state's total count of unemployed persons to drop over the month. At slightly more than 167,000 this month, Georgia's unemployment level declined over the month by more than 11,600 or 6.5 percent. Also aiding in the unemployment decline this month were significant over-the- Area data The unemployment rates in all seven of Georgia's Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) mirrored the statewide trend this month and declined over the month. The month-to-month differences ranged from as little as one-tenth percentage point recorded in Augusta and Macon to a high of four-tenths of a percentage point in Columbus. Despite experiencing the largest over-the-month decline in March, Columbus, at 4.5 percent had Similar to the metro areas, most counties in Georgia saw declines in their unemployment rates in February. The final tally 115 counties declined, 28 increased and the remaining 16 counties were essentially unchanged over the month. With an increase of nearly three percentage points in February, Atkinson County, at 10.0 percent had the highest rate in the state. Atkinson was also the only county to have a double-digit jobless rate this month. Oconee County's rate, at 1.5 percent, dropped over the month by two-tenths of a percentage point to post the lowest county rate. Percent Southeastern states and U.S. unemployment rates 9 Fe bruary 2004 January 2004 8 7 6.0 6 5.6 6.1 6.1 6.2 5.6 6.4 6.3 6.6 6.7 6.3 6.0 5.3 5.6 5 4.5 4.6 4.1 4 3.8 3 2 1 0 AL FL GA KY MS NC SC TN US In February, Georgia continued to maintain a comfortable lead in the Southeast. For fourteen straight months now, Georgia's rate has prevailed in the region in the lowest rate category. And with the drop this month of three-tenths of a percentage point, Georgia was ahead of second-place Florida (4.5%) by more than one-half of a percentage point. At 6.6 percent, South Carolina had the highest regional rate for the eighth consecutive month. Along with South Carolina, two other states, Kentucky, at 6.1 percent, and North Carolina, at 6.4 percent, had jobless rates to exceed the national average of 6.0 percent this month. 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 FEB 2004 Revised JAN 2004 Revised FEB 2003 Change From Revised Revised JAN 2004 FEB 2003 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 4,373,752 4,206,646 167,106 3.8 4,369,011 4,190,273 178,738 4.1 4,344,237 4,134,900 209,337 4.8 4,741 16,373 -11,632 29,515 71,746 -42,231 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 56,786 54,576 2,210 3.9 57,092 54,730 2,362 4.1 56,064 53,239 2,825 5.0 -306 -154 -152 722 1,337 -615 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 78,426 76,458 1,968 2.5 78,100 75,980 2,120 2.7 79,131 76,885 2,246 2.8 326 478 -152 -705 -427 -278 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 2,430,597 2,335,336 95,261 3.9 2,424,096 2,321,273 102,823 4.2 2,398,365 2,277,937 120,428 5.0 6,501 14,063 -7,562 32,232 57,399 -25,167 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 219,302 209,664 9,638 4.4 219,180 209,295 9,885 4.5 211,921 201,429 10,492 5.0 122 369 -247 7,381 8,235 -854 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 131,116 125,181 5,935 4.5 130,766 124,353 6,413 4.9 127,374 120,672 6,702 5.3 350 828 -478 3,742 4,509 -767 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 162,498 156,899 5,599 3.4 162,266 156,536 5,730 3.5 158,047 151,690 6,357 4.0 232 363 -131 4,451 5,209 -758 Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 149,951 145,126 4,825 3.2 149,403 144,278 5,125 3.4 144,331 138,914 5,417 3.8 548 848 -300 5,620 6,212 -592 United States Labor Force Estimates Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Area Employment Status FEB 2004 JAN 2004 FEB 2003 Change From JAN 2004 FEB 2003 United States (Seasonally adjusted) Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 146,471,000 138,301,000 8,170,000 5.6 146,863,000 138,566,000 8,297,000 5.6 145,898,000 137,318,000 8,581,000 5.9 -392,000 -265,000 -127,000 573,000 983,000 -411,000 United States (Not Seasonally adjusted) Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate 146,154,000 137,384,000 8,770,000 6.0 146,068,000 136,924,000 9,144,000 6.3 145,693,000 136,433,000 9,260,000 6.4 86,000 460,000 -374,000 461,000 951,000 -490,000 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 Byran, 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 February 2004 Revised January 2004 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 4,373,752 4,206,646 167,106 3.8 7,214 3,145 3,762 1,507 18,281 6,810 2,830 3,592 1,449 17,790 404 5.6 315 10.0 170 4.5 58 3.8 491 2.7 4,369,011 4,190,273 178,738 4.1 7,345 3,077 3,793 1,546 18,278 6,827 2,856 3,608 1,482 17,728 518 7.1 221 7.2 185 4.9 64 4.1 550 3.0 Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien 6,709 6,499 210 3.1 24,947 23,947 1,000 4.0 42,804 40,669 2,135 5.0 7,674 7,369 305 4.0 6,446 6,242 204 3.2 6,746 6,515 231 3.4 24,931 23,803 1,128 4.5 42,561 40,424 2,137 5.0 7,776 7,400 376 4.8 6,499 6,286 213 3.3 Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan 75,117 72,196 2,921 3.9 5,906 5,724 182 3.1 6,929 6,652 277 4.0 7,647 7,458 189 2.5 12,301 11,989 312 2.5 74,951 72,029 2,922 3.9 5,901 5,725 176 3.0 6,967 6,642 325 4.7 7,670 7,454 216 2.8 12,256 11,919 337 2.7 Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden 28,772 9,067 9,635 2,175 16,701 28,022 8,230 9,268 2,077 16,095 750 2.6 837 9.2 367 3.8 98 4.5 606 3.6 28,793 9,110 9,632 2,215 16,764 27,995 8,243 9,245 2,108 16,059 798 2.8 867 9.5 387 4.0 107 4.8 705 4.2 Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham 3,752 3,630 122 3.3 47,811 45,682 2,129 4.5 30,599 29,924 675 2.2 4,384 4,232 152 3.5 116,737 112,793 3,944 3.4 3,788 3,658 130 3.4 47,539 45,406 2,133 4.5 30,307 29,617 690 2.3 4,419 4,222 197 4.5 116,287 112,134 4,153 3.6 Chattahoochee 2,311 2,150 161 7.0 Chattooga 10,992 10,663 329 3.0 Cherokee 88,533 85,654 2,879 3.3 Clarke 50,375 49,046 1,329 2.6 Clay 1,741 1,678 63 3.6 2,316 2,136 180 7.8 10,975 10,635 340 3.1 87,993 85,138 2,855 3.2 50,099 48,739 1,360 2.7 1,749 1,694 55 3.1 Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt 142,350 135,274 7,076 5.0 2,727 2,638 89 3.3 383,144 370,295 12,849 3.4 20,446 19,240 1,206 5.9 17,087 16,374 713 4.2 141,725 134,459 7,266 5.1 2,759 2,649 110 4.0 381,593 368,065 13,528 3.5 20,666 19,305 1,361 6.6 17,167 16,479 688 4.0 Columbia Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp 46,757 45,580 1,177 2.5 7,297 7,018 279 3.8 48,399 46,792 1,607 3.3 6,261 6,008 253 4.0 8,747 8,249 498 5.7 46,780 45,531 1,249 2.7 7,350 7,044 306 4.2 48,122 46,510 1,612 3.3 6,284 6,008 276 4.4 8,769 8,299 470 5.4 Revised February 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 4,344,237 4,134,900 209,337 4.8 7,545 3,194 3,877 1,685 18,414 6,966 2,922 3,632 1,599 17,679 579 7.7 272 8.5 245 6.3 86 5.1 735 4.0 6,825 24,569 42,067 8,471 6,725 6,522 23,359 39,669 7,887 6,465 303 4.4 1,210 4.9 2,398 5.7 584 6.9 260 3.9 73,141 5,995 7,173 7,694 11,849 69,799 5,767 6,730 7,434 11,476 3,342 4.6 228 3.8 443 6.2 260 3.4 373 3.1 28,886 9,161 9,681 2,424 17,382 28,105 8,403 9,250 2,246 16,048 781 2.7 758 8.3 431 4.5 178 7.3 1,334 7.7 3,905 47,463 29,957 4,477 112,272 3,751 44,559 29,174 4,220 107,965 154 3.9 2,904 6.1 783 2.6 257 5.7 4,307 3.8 2,253 11,006 87,284 50,786 1,771 2,074 10,652 83,549 49,320 1,708 179 7.9 354 3.2 3,735 4.3 1,466 2.9 63 3.6 140,443 131,949 8,494 6.0 2,875 2,764 111 3.9 377,906 361,194 16,712 4.4 20,847 19,614 1,233 5.9 17,962 16,777 1,185 6.6 45,665 7,433 47,694 6,169 9,083 44,335 7,020 45,642 5,940 8,575 1,330 2.9 413 5.6 2,052 4.3 229 3.7 508 5.6 10 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted) Dade Dawson Decatur DeKalb Dodge Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Preliminary February 2004 Revised January 2004 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 7,998 7,779 219 2.7 11,237 10,968 269 2.4 11,050 10,370 680 6.2 391,021 373,726 17,295 4.4 9,945 9,660 285 2.9 7,959 7,700 259 3.3 11,366 11,066 300 2.6 11,085 10,411 674 6.1 390,915 371,475 19,440 5.0 9,978 9,683 295 3.0 Dooly Dougherty Douglas Early Echols 4,229 4,010 219 5.2 43,138 41,218 1,920 4.5 54,544 52,206 2,338 4.3 4,756 4,519 237 5.0 1,875 1,829 46 2.5 4,269 4,034 235 5.5 43,367 41,334 2,033 4.7 54,250 51,892 2,358 4.3 4,814 4,560 254 5.3 1,879 1,828 51 2.7 Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin 20,913 9,313 8,521 5,053 9,316 20,344 8,845 8,141 4,923 8,952 569 2.7 468 5.0 380 4.5 130 2.6 364 3.9 20,860 9,428 8,560 5,072 9,291 20,225 8,857 8,137 4,937 8,926 635 3.0 571 6.1 423 4.9 135 2.7 365 3.9 Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton 50,865 49,563 1,302 2.6 47,940 45,915 2,025 4.2 63,756 62,050 1,706 2.7 10,964 10,610 354 3.2 428,985 409,566 19,419 4.5 50,609 49,264 1,345 2.7 47,272 45,754 1,518 3.2 63,588 61,677 1,911 3.0 11,104 10,621 483 4.3 428,040 407,100 20,940 4.9 Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady 9,404 9,076 328 3.5 1,008 965 43 4.3 36,309 35,231 1,078 3.0 21,978 21,084 894 4.1 8,695 8,375 320 3.7 9,400 9,085 315 3.4 1,005 966 39 3.9 36,360 35,145 1,215 3.3 21,933 21,061 872 4.0 8,793 8,439 354 4.0 Greene 5,592 5,261 331 5.9 Gwinnett 389,483 377,116 12,367 3.2 Habersham 16,469 16,054 415 2.5 Hall 79,045 76,813 2,232 2.8 Hancock 3,546 3,359 187 5.3 5,613 5,268 345 6.1 389,516 374,846 14,670 3.8 16,524 16,071 453 2.7 79,282 76,770 2,512 3.2 3,574 3,358 216 6.0 Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry 10,637 10,144 493 4.6 13,942 13,413 529 3.8 9,131 8,796 335 3.7 5,070 4,854 216 4.3 74,865 72,154 2,711 3.6 10,610 10,110 500 4.7 13,772 13,324 448 3.3 9,190 8,806 384 4.2 5,073 4,853 220 4.3 74,417 71,719 2,698 3.6 Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis 58,420 56,844 1,576 2.7 4,425 4,271 154 3.5 24,451 23,684 767 3.1 5,275 5,026 249 4.7 4,705 4,370 335 7.1 58,233 56,712 1,521 2.6 4,443 4,289 154 3.5 24,540 23,690 850 3.5 5,276 5,014 262 5.0 4,780 4,386 394 8.2 Revised February 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 7,915 7,584 331 4.2 11,372 10,985 387 3.4 11,369 10,655 714 6.3 386,403 364,540 21,863 5.7 10,215 9,736 479 4.7 4,475 42,632 53,591 4,975 1,886 4,168 40,208 50,923 4,556 1,823 307 6.9 2,424 5.7 2,668 5.0 419 8.4 63 3.3 20,210 9,650 8,622 5,193 9,653 19,473 8,962 8,155 5,010 8,929 737 3.6 688 7.1 467 5.4 183 3.5 724 7.5 49,800 48,345 1,455 2.9 47,434 45,391 2,043 4.3 62,976 60,525 2,451 3.9 11,156 10,673 483 4.3 424,316 399,500 24,816 5.8 9,565 1,026 35,922 22,530 9,108 9,038 968 34,576 21,391 8,670 527 5.5 58 5.7 1,346 3.7 1,139 5.1 438 4.8 5,869 5,372 497 8.5 384,198 367,847 16,351 4.3 16,679 16,045 634 3.8 79,404 76,504 2,900 3.7 3,708 3,376 332 9.0 10,695 13,362 9,435 5,395 73,465 10,082 12,938 8,877 5,124 70,380 613 5.7 424 3.2 558 5.9 271 5.0 3,085 4.2 56,780 4,882 25,013 5,285 4,987 54,957 4,571 23,993 4,970 4,508 1,823 3.2 311 6.4 1,020 4.1 315 6.0 479 9.6 11 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted) Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Preliminary February 2004 Revised January 2004 Labor Force 7,013 3,821 3,183 13,098 6,441 Employment Unemployment Number Rate 6,459 3,624 3,038 12,749 6,103 554 7.9 197 5.2 145 4.6 349 2.7 338 5.2 Labor Force 7,027 3,823 3,219 13,081 6,473 Employment Unemployment Number Rate 6,470 3,654 3,042 12,720 6,109 557 7.9 169 4.4 177 5.5 361 2.8 364 5.6 Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln 3,629 3,532 97 2.7 22,595 21,550 1,045 4.6 13,648 13,358 290 2.1 19,143 18,385 758 4.0 2,503 2,276 227 9.1 3,621 3,530 91 2.5 22,712 21,534 1,178 5.2 13,725 13,396 329 2.4 19,164 18,322 842 4.4 2,455 2,279 176 7.2 Long Lowndes Lumpkin McDuffie McIntosh 5,001 4,845 156 3.1 46,246 45,136 1,110 2.4 11,909 11,629 280 2.4 9,652 9,180 472 4.9 4,943 4,767 176 3.6 4,972 46,321 11,948 9,677 4,961 4,828 45,115 11,652 9,170 4,767 144 2.9 1,206 2.6 296 2.5 507 5.2 194 3.9 Macon Madison Marion Meriwether Miller 5,054 13,761 2,736 9,166 3,146 4,587 13,342 2,563 8,603 3,027 467 9.2 419 3.0 173 6.3 563 6.1 119 3.8 5,096 13,771 2,762 9,195 3,181 4,629 13,258 2,574 8,601 3,054 467 9.2 513 3.7 188 6.8 594 6.5 127 4.0 Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray 11,490 7,826 3,636 7,768 18,646 10,982 7,494 3,438 7,499 18,049 508 4.4 332 4.2 198 5.4 269 3.5 597 3.2 11,560 7,874 3,652 7,828 18,638 11,046 7,490 3,443 7,527 18,017 514 4.4 384 4.9 209 5.7 301 3.8 621 3.3 Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding 89,400 85,944 3,456 3.9 34,732 33,002 1,730 5.0 14,290 14,070 220 1.5 6,692 6,475 217 3.2 48,993 47,185 1,808 3.7 89,258 85,376 3,882 4.3 34,603 32,803 1,800 5.2 14,229 13,982 247 1.7 6,712 6,477 235 3.5 48,654 46,901 1,753 3.6 Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk 11,368 12,921 8,141 8,056 19,370 10,796 12,500 7,910 7,738 18,606 572 5.0 421 3.3 231 2.8 318 3.9 764 3.9 11,511 12,867 8,185 8,064 19,344 10,771 12,424 7,939 7,732 18,583 740 6.4 443 3.4 246 3.0 332 4.1 761 3.9 Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph 4,073 9,757 1,465 7,563 2,896 3,972 9,478 1,421 7,398 2,770 101 2.5 279 2.9 44 3.0 165 2.2 126 4.4 4,117 9,820 1,458 7,549 2,950 3,999 9,486 1,419 7,397 2,788 118 2.9 334 3.4 39 2.7 152 2.0 162 5.5 Revised February 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 7,249 3,966 3,265 12,716 6,501 6,557 3,769 2,971 12,326 6,047 692 9.5 197 5.0 294 9.0 390 3.1 454 7.0 3,630 22,919 13,432 19,274 2,570 3,521 21,722 13,031 18,160 2,284 109 3.0 1,197 5.2 401 3.0 1,114 5.8 286 11.1 4,992 46,390 11,886 9,626 4,983 4,786 44,994 11,535 8,929 4,736 206 4.1 1,396 3.0 351 3.0 697 7.2 247 5.0 5,177 13,924 2,844 9,240 3,386 4,828 13,416 2,680 8,687 3,163 349 6.7 508 3.6 164 5.8 553 6.0 223 6.6 11,907 7,901 3,812 7,912 19,203 11,364 7,490 3,503 7,547 18,390 543 4.6 411 5.2 309 8.1 365 4.6 813 4.2 86,788 34,337 14,421 6,991 48,107 82,903 32,191 14,149 6,746 46,025 3,885 4.5 2,146 6.2 272 1.9 245 3.5 2,082 4.3 10,978 12,877 8,381 8,174 19,336 10,438 12,192 8,073 7,777 18,435 540 4.9 685 5.3 308 3.7 397 4.9 901 4.7 4,243 9,956 1,454 7,561 3,027 4,062 9,588 1,411 7,332 2,782 181 4.3 368 3.7 43 3.0 229 3.0 245 8.1 12 Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted) Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older Preliminary February 2004 Revised January 2004 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 84,196 80,413 3,783 4.5 40,403 38,887 1,516 3.8 1,793 1,709 84 4.7 5,324 5,059 265 5.0 4,353 4,201 152 3.5 84,392 80,328 4,064 4.8 40,325 38,653 1,672 4.1 1,797 1,714 83 4.6 5,371 5,084 287 5.3 4,401 4,243 158 3.6 Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot 29,147 27,441 1,706 5.9 11,801 11,079 722 6.1 2,426 2,229 197 8.1 14,118 13,363 755 5.3 2,801 2,672 129 4.6 28,907 27,275 1,632 5.6 11,825 11,057 768 6.5 2,430 2,236 194 8.0 14,148 13,384 764 5.4 2,825 2,676 149 5.3 Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell 765 6,375 3,513 3,888 3,804 728 6,118 3,322 3,633 3,602 37 4.8 257 4.0 191 5.4 255 6.6 202 5.3 777 6,472 3,546 3,957 3,862 732 6,194 3,336 3,653 3,628 45 5.8 278 4.3 210 5.9 304 7.7 234 6.1 Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen 22,171 20,171 11,359 4,981 2,849 21,435 19,569 10,726 4,857 2,733 736 3.3 602 3.0 633 5.6 124 2.5 116 4.1 22,221 20,269 11,434 4,993 2,850 21,459 19,635 10,740 4,860 2,737 762 3.4 634 3.1 694 6.1 133 2.7 113 4.0 Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson 30,491 29,136 1,355 4.4 4,227 3,893 334 7.9 4,494 4,313 181 4.0 9,157 8,898 259 2.8 10,204 9,662 542 5.3 30,488 29,055 1,433 4.7 4,210 3,932 278 6.6 4,488 4,303 185 4.1 9,210 8,932 278 3.0 10,224 9,644 580 5.7 Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington 32,481 31,587 894 2.8 32,894 31,627 1,267 3.9 15,552 14,960 592 3.8 2,153 1,994 159 7.4 8,935 8,569 366 4.1 32,158 31,263 895 2.8 32,936 31,437 1,499 4.6 15,558 14,942 616 4.0 2,181 1,998 183 8.4 8,953 8,567 386 4.3 Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield 11,360 10,899 461 4.1 1,148 1,071 77 6.7 1,969 1,869 100 5.1 9,806 9,550 256 2.6 50,419 49,112 1,307 2.6 11,421 10,891 530 4.6 1,151 1,080 71 6.2 1,977 1,878 99 5.0 9,854 9,562 292 3.0 50,268 48,959 1,309 2.6 Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth 3,202 4,787 4,241 9,175 3,085 4,444 4,071 8,745 117 3.7 343 7.2 170 4.0 430 4.7 3,232 4,810 4,249 9,236 3,104 4,467 4,058 8,805 128 4.0 343 7.1 191 4.5 431 4.7 Revised February 2003 Labor Force Employment Unemployment Number Rate 82,666 39,898 1,782 5,472 4,627 78,216 37,932 1,695 5,196 4,411 4,450 5.4 1,966 4.9 87 4.9 276 5.0 216 4.7 28,763 11,780 2,391 14,365 2,836 26,766 11,095 2,256 13,483 2,721 1,997 6.9 685 5.8 135 5.6 882 6.1 115 4.1 789 6,883 3,448 4,110 4,063 719 6,518 3,308 3,773 3,729 70 8.9 365 5.3 140 4.1 337 8.2 334 8.2 22,380 20,617 11,743 4,913 2,970 21,471 19,773 10,929 4,757 2,785 909 4.1 844 4.1 814 6.9 156 3.2 185 6.2 30,560 4,548 4,432 9,242 10,480 28,843 4,176 4,170 8,886 9,698 1,717 5.6 372 8.2 262 5.9 356 3.9 782 7.5 31,979 32,208 15,700 2,379 9,126 30,795 30,850 14,924 2,062 8,638 1,184 3.7 1,358 4.2 776 4.9 317 13.3 488 5.3 11,376 1,160 2,065 9,662 50,391 10,902 1,117 1,940 9,314 48,785 474 4.2 43 3.7 125 6.1 348 3.6 1,606 3.2 3,393 4,796 4,235 9,514 3,207 4,430 4,007 9,019 186 5.5 366 7.6 228 5.4 495 5.2 13 New Developments Jefferson Southern Corporation (JSC) recently completed an expansion at its plant in Rockmart. Comprising more than 100,000 square feet of additional production space, JSC's new manufacturing facility coincided with the opening of a new production line at Honda Manufacturing in Alabama. Headquartered in Ohio, JSC is a subsidiary of Jefferson Industries. The plant in Rockmart manufactures Honda automobile body parts for the new Honda facility in Alabama. JSC initially hired about 20 new workers to aid in the startup of the new line, however when the facility is fully operational, it is expected to employ more than 180 workers in Polk County. Beverly Enterprises Inc. recently announced that Conyers will be the location for its new national billing center. The new center will occupy an 8,000 square foot facility at 570 Sigman Road. Beverly Enterprises, a Fortune 500 company, is the largest nursing home provider in the country. It was founded in California in 1963 and is headquartered in Fort Smith, Ark. It currently has operations in 32 states and the District of Columbia. Although the company plans to bring in some of its own managers, the new billing center is expected to employ about 50 people from the Rockdale County area. The Waggonners Trucking Company recently announced plans to locate a regional center in Columbus. With a capital investment of about $5 million, the company plans to purchase three properties in the south part of the city that will encompass nearly 75 acres of land. Forty-three of those acres will be on the old Lummus manufacturing site on 10th Avenue and will house the company's training center and a manufacturing plant. Twenty-six acres are located in the Blanchard Industrial Park on Blanchard Boulevard. This site will include a 20,000 square-foot building to handle the company's body works for its big rigs. It will also include a gravel parking lot to park the trucks and trailers. The remaining five acres will be located next to John Deere on Victory Drive. The Victory Drive site will be Waggonners recreation center. It will also be the mini-terminal that will be used for oil changes and vehicle washes. Waggonners, which began as a single truck operation in 1951, is based in Billings, Mont. and specializes in transporting automobiles. The company's need for the new facility in Columbus was spawned by the expansion of auto assembly plants across the Southeast. Hauling more than half of the vehicles produced, Waggonners largest account is with the BMW plant in Greer, S.C. The company also has major contracts with Honda and MercedesBenz in Alabama, Nissan in Tennessee and Mississippi, and General Motors in South Carolina. Waggoners also transports Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Porsche, which are all imported through the port in Brunswick. With its share of major layoffs over the past few years, company officials saw Columbus' workforce as a major incentive to locate its new regional hub. When completed, the transport firm is expected to hire between 300 and 400 people, giving a much-needed economic boost to Muscogee County. Chart Industries Inc. recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion at its plant in Canton. The expansion will include about 16,000 additional square feet of manufacturing space to the existing facility. The extra space is being added to accommodate the company's new line of portable liquid oxygen equipment. According to the company's website, Chart Industries is a major manufacturer of cryogenic products for the purification, liquefaction, distribution, storage and application of gases such as helium, nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon dioxide, natural gas and other hydrocarbons for final use in a multitude of applications. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Chart has domestic operations in nine states as well as an international presence in several sites around the globe. Currently, Chart has about 210 employees at the Canton plant. The expansion is expected to be in operation by mid-summer and will initially add about 60 additional workers in Cherokee County. 14 Georgia Unemployment Rates by County February 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 10% or greater 3.8% to 9.9% Less than 3.8% 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 Pulaski Dodge Dooly 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 Irwin Tift Coffee Colquitt 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: 3.8% 15 Georgia Unemployment Insurance Claims by County County February Average Initial Weekly Average Claims Benefit Duration County February Average Initial Weekly Average Claims Benefit Duration Appling 62 ...... $214 ..... 12.1 Atkinson 173 ...... $191 ..... 10.5 Bacon 58 ...... $216 ..... 11.1 Baker 8 ...... $157 ..... 12.0 Baldwin 92 ...... $184 ..... 10.0 Banks 62 ...... $215 ....... 9.7 Barrow 254 ...... $215 ..... 12.9 Bartow 377 ...... $228 ..... 12.4 Ben Hill 94 ...... $175 ....... 7.9 Berrien 47 ...... $192 ....... 8.1 Bibb 643 ...... $185 ..... 13.7 Bleckley 100 ...... $186 ..... 11.0 Brantley 77 ...... $201 ..... 15.2 Brooks 39 ...... $187 ....... 9.7 Bryan 53 ...... $208 ..... 10.8 Bulloch 166 ...... $205 ..... 13.2 Burke 164 ...... $190 ..... 14.0 Butts 81 ...... $208 ..... 13.4 Calhoun 25 ...... $143 ..... 12.0 Camden 79 ...... $205 ..... 24.6 Candler 20 ...... $184 ..... 12.5 Carroll 475 ...... $204 ..... 13.0 Catoosa 169 ...... $231 ....... 8.3 Charlton 20 ...... $192 ..... 19.2 Chatham 582 ...... $188 ..... 13.1 Chattahoochee 18 ...... $192 ..... 11.5 Chattooga 71 ...... $224 ..... 14.5 Cherokee 530 ...... $246 ..... 14.9 Clarke 236 ...... $177 ..... 12.5 Clay 16 ...... $175 ..... 10.0 Clayton 1,082 ...... $223 ..... 15.6 Clinch 22 ...... $170 ..... 14.4 Cobb 1,743 ...... $242 ..... 16.6 Coffee 266 ...... $205 ..... 13.0 Colquitt 191 ...... $172 ..... 11.2 Columbia 208 ...... $221 ..... 12.1 Cook 46 ...... $195 ..... 10.0 Coweta 334 ...... $227 ..... 12.2 Crawford 40 ...... $211 ..... 13.3 Crisp 91 ...... $164 ..... 10.1 Dade 20 ...... $228 ....... 6.8 Dawson 69 ...... $249 ..... 13.6 Decatur 191 ...... $183 ..... 11.3 DeKalb 2,804 ...... $230 ..... 15.6 Dodge 61 ...... $165 ..... 10.6 Dooly 93 ...... $175 ....... 8.8 Dougherty 309 ...... $164 ..... 12.5 Douglas 396 ...... $237 ..... 15.0 Early 33 ...... $161 ..... 15.8 Echols 4 ...... $182 ..... 10.0 Effingham 109 ...... $223 ....... 9.4 Elbert 179 ...... $184 ....... 8.6 Emanuel 110 ...... $185 ....... 9.6 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 21 ...... $185 ..... 11.5 116 ...... $207 ..... 12.8 179 ...... $243 ..... 15.3 786 ...... $208 ..... 10.5 250 ...... $254 ..... 16.4 178 ...... $221 ..... 11.5 2,843 ...... $222 ..... 16.1 171 ...... $211 ....... 8.6 13 ...... $171 ..... 10.2 231 ...... $190 ..... 14.4 341 ...... $220 ....... 8.6 62 ...... $184 ....... 9.3 106 ...... $173 ..... 11.2 2,233 ...... $250 ..... 15.4 184 ...... $199 ....... 7.6 534 ...... $220 ..... 11.1 29 ...... $175 ..... 10.6 150 ...... $214 ..... 11.7 254 ...... $196 ....... 9.6 121 ...... $202 ....... 9.1 80 ...... $207 ..... 10.6 430 ...... $233 ..... 15.2 457 ...... $195 ..... 12.5 33 ...... $189 ....... 9.8 169 ...... $221 ..... 11.9 41 ...... $224 ..... 13.9 111 ...... $198 ..... 10.3 93 ...... $166 ..... 12.5 134 ...... $161 ....... 7.6 30 ...... $185 ..... 14.2 81 ...... $208 ..... 13.2 92 ...... $205 ..... 11.4 32 ...... $165 ..... 10.7 249 ...... $176 ..... 12.3 154 ...... $233 ..... 10.5 95 ...... $185 ..... 13.1 93 ...... $184 ..... 10.9 22 ...... $201 ..... 12.1 263 ...... $180 ..... 11.1 67 ...... $231 ....... 8.3 132 ...... $179 ..... 10.5 90 ...... $199 ..... 10.8 42 ...... $200 ..... 12.1 138 ...... $193 ..... 11.2 21 ...... $180 ..... 14.1 165 ...... $206 ..... 10.3 33 ...... $188 ..... 13.1 108 ...... $154 ..... 13.8 90 ...... $217 ..... 12.8 49 ...... $188 ..... 10.4 63 ...... $203 ..... 11.3 311 ...... $221 ....... 6.0 1,108 ...... $190 ..... 12.0 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 February 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 354 ...... $224 ..... 13.5 46 ...... $210 ..... 13.0 59 ...... $190 ..... 10.7 319 ...... $248 ..... 14.6 109 ...... $188 ..... 13.7 56 ...... $228 ..... 12.6 53 ...... $183 ..... 14.7 60 ...... $211 ..... 12.6 290 ...... $219 ....... 9.7 67 ...... $170 ....... 8.5 94 ...... $199 ....... 7.8 2 ...... $151 ..... 17.5 51 ...... $198 ....... 7.5 38 ...... $153 ..... 10.0 909 ...... $184 ..... 12.1 289 ...... $230 ..... 15.0 18 ...... $162 ..... 11.7 112 ...... $186 ..... 10.1 27 ...... $174 ..... 12.5 343 ...... $189 ..... 12.3 233 ...... $221 ..... 12.0 50 ...... $186 ..... 14.0 140 ...... $160 ..... 11.8 76 ...... $200 ..... 11.0 9 ...... $164 ..... 11.3 38 ...... $183 ..... 11.1 37 ...... $213 ..... 12.5 46 ...... $173 ....... 9.2 34 ...... $163 ....... 7.1 129 ...... $175 ..... 13.1 136 ...... $166 ....... 9.4 139 ...... $188 ..... 10.5 38 ...... $200 ..... 12.0 47 ...... $190 ....... 9.0 512 ...... $205 ....... 9.1 185 ...... $145 ..... 11.0 44 ...... $170 ..... 12.1 84 ...... $184 ..... 14.1 142 ...... $198 ..... 11.3 252 ...... $218 ....... 8.3 349 ...... $230 ..... 12.1 145 ...... $172 ..... 13.8 52 ...... $176 ..... 10.9 52 ...... $169 ..... 13.9 104 ...... $197 ..... 12.6 14 ...... $177 ..... 11.8 17 ...... $165 ..... 10.1 94 ...... $193 ..... 10.1 721 ...... $225 ....... 5.4 30 ...... $210 ..... 10.2 115 ...... $169 ..... 10.7 26 ...... $203 ..... 11.8 74 ...... $152 ..... 10.6 Unemployment Insurance Statistics Average duration of benefits Weeks 14.0 Last 12 months 13.0 12.6 12.6 12.7 12.4 12.2 12.1 12.1 12.0 12.0 12.2 12.2 12.3 12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb 03 04 Thousand 100 90 Initial claims 2003-- 2004 2003 2004 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Initial claims drop while average duration rises... During February, 36,968 separated workers in Georgia filed an initial claim for unemployment insurance compensation, a drop of 6,360 (-14.7%) from last February's total of 43,328. This month's figure represented a substantial decline of over 33 thousand (-47.4) when compared to January's seasonally influenced total of 70,271. Historically, initial claims totals rise considerably during the month of January due to layoffs of part-time and temporary workers hired during the holiday season. Of the 36,968 initial claims filed during the month, 24,409 were filed as new claims (the first initial claim filed by a claimant), down 14.7 percent when compared to February of last year, and 11,609 were filed as additional claims (a subsequent initial claim filed during an existing benefit year due to new employment and a break of one week or more occurring in the claim series due to intervening employment), a decline of 14.5 when compared to the same month one year ago. For the month, 950 initial claims were filed as agent claims (new and additional claimants who reside in Georgia but were employed in another state). The Atlanta metropolitan statistical area accounted for 15,900 initial claims during February, a decrease of 10.6 percent over the year. Albany (-25.1%), Athens (-22.4%) and Savannah (-11.0%) also experienced over-the year drops while Augusta (24.5%), Macon (14.4%) and Columbus (2.9%) all saw initial claims rise when compared with the same month one year ago. During the month, there were 71,818 separated workers receiving benefits, a reduction of 28.5 percent when compared to last month and a decline of over 14,000 (-16.3%) when compared to last year. Benefit payments, $51,993,587 in February, also diminished both monthly and yearly, sliding 14.5 percent and 16.9 respectively. Similarly, benefit exhaustions declined both monthly (-45.7%) and yearly (-6.4%). This month's total of 7,736 is the lowest sum for exhaustions since September 2002, when 7,687 claimants received final payments. Despite the reduction in initial claims filings, including new and additional claims, along with the drop in the number of beneficiaries and benefit exhaustions, the average duration crept up from 12.6 to 12.7 weeks during February. The meager growth over the month of 4,000 new jobs (one-tenth of a percentage point) is making it difficult for new workers entering the workforce along with separated workers who have been unemployed for over six months to find employment opportunities. Statistical Trends February 2004 February 2003 Net Change Percent Change Initial Claims .............................................................. 36,968 ................................ 43,328 ................................... -6,360 ............................. -14.7% Continued Weeks Claimed ..................................... 253,602 .............................. 295,988 ................................. -42,386 ............................. -14.3% Beneficiaries ........................................................... 71,818 ................................ 85,832 ................................. -14,014 ............................. -16.3% Benefits Paid .................................................. $51,993,587 ....................... $62,543,024 ....................... -$10,549,437 ............................. -16.9% Weeks Paid ............................................................ 218,869 .............................. 262,929 ................................. -44,060 ............................. -16.8% First Payments ......................................................... 19,242 ................................ 24,941 ................................... -5,699 ............................. -22.8% Final Payments .......................................................... 7,736 .................................. 8,268 ...................................... -532 ............................... -6.4% Average Weekly Benefit ....................................... $237.56 .............................. $237.87 ................................... -$0.31 ............................... -0.1% Average Duration (weeks) ......................................... 12.7 .................................... 12.6 ........................................ 0.1 ................................. 0.8% Trust Fund Balance ...................................... $607,989,354 .................. $1,133,550,005 ..................... -$525,560,651 ............................. -46.4% 17 Georgia Area Labor Profiles One for Each County Labor Force Population Industry Employment Employers Community Patterns Education and Training Vital Information for Local Planning Download your information today at www.dol.state.ga.us/em/get_labor_market_information.htm 18 WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team We are proud to serve you. Please contact any team member should you need assistance regarding any of our products or publications. Employment Jan Mayo: Current Employment by industry for State and MSAs, hours and earnings Cheryl Totton or Ann Hunter: Employment and Wages for State, MSAs and counties Occupational & Career Information Ridley Hubbard: Occupational employment, forecasts and wages Elaine Hayes: Occupational Employment Survey Electronic Delivery Winston Connally: User Applications Other Workforce Information Areas Faye Duzan: The Workforce Investment Act and LMI, & training needs Bill Webb: Economic Indicators for State and Atlanta MSA Nancy Murphy: General Information on the Workforce Information and Analysis Division The WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team: Committed To Total Customer Satisfaction Through Outstanding Customer Service Workforce_Info@dol.state.ga.us (404) 232-3875 Upcoming Events Press Release Dates April Unemployment Insurance Claims .............. May 13 Georgia Unemployment Rate/ Non-farmEmployment ......... May 20 Civilian Labor Force/Area Unemployment Rates ......... May 27 May Unemployment Insurance Claims ............. June 10 Georgia Unemployment Rate/ Non-farmEmployment ........ June 17 Civilian Labor Force/Area Unemployment Rates ........ June 24 Let us hear from you! Moved (Please provide the correct mailing address below.) Please remove my name from your mailing list. I'm interested in other types of information (please explain). Name: ____________________________________________________ New Address: ______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Comments/Suggestions/Requests: _______________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Please return this form to: Customer Satisfaction Team, 223 Courtland Street, NE, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30303; or fax info to (404) 232-3888; or email info to Workforce_Info@dol.state.ga.us 19 Georgia Department of Labor Workforce Information & Analysis 148 Andrew Young International Boulevard, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 Return Service Requested