September 2004 Data
Highlights
Total jobs up across the state... .....Page 2
Total nonfarm employment in Georgia rose by 7,200 jobs in September.
Unemployment continues to move in the right direction downward, for the third straight month..........Page 8
The unemployment rate in five of Georgia's seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas followed the statewide trend and declined over the month.
Number of separated workers affected by employer initiated mass layoffs were down significantly over the month.
New Developments.................. Page 14
Initial claims and number of benefit claimants drop sharply over the year......... ............... Page 17
Benefit payments and benefit exhaustions also saw overthe-year declines.
WI&A Customer Satisfaction Team .................. Page 19

Volume XXX, Number 9
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

September Employment Situation

Total nonfarm employment in Georgia edged up by 7,200 jobs in September. Regionally, Georgia ranked sixth among southern states in job creation for the month (figures not seasonally adjusted). Sectors with the largest September job additions were Government, followed by Educational & Health Services and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities. Sectors experiencing large declines in employment include Leisure & Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Financial Activities.

20,000 15,000 10,000
5,000

South region -- Job change by state
September 2004

16,300

8,100

7,200

6,500

13,000 9,000

11,500

0

AL

FL

GA

KY

MS

NC

SC

TN

-5,000

-2,800

Note: Data not seasonally adjusted Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Construction sector endured a modest job gain in September. The addition of 400 payroll employees in September matched the total number of jobs added a month ago. Over the past year, the sector has created 4,100 jobs. While Construction of Buildings and Heavy & Civil Engineering displayed job declines for the month, the increase in construction jobs was focused in the Specialty Trade Contractor industry.
In September, employment in Georgia's Manufacturing sector was down 1,700 jobs. The sector has suffered a loss of jobs in three of the past four months. The manufacture of Durable Goods was down 1,000 workers over the month and Non-Durable Goods manufacturing accounted for the remaining 700 jobs lost.
Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 1,400 jobs in September. Both Wholesale Trade and Transportation and Warehousing, & Utilities dropped jobs. The lone subcomponent of the sector adding workers was Retail Trade.
Marking the third consecutive month of job declines, the Information sector lost 1,100 workers in September. The sector has 700 more payroll employees this September than it did in September a year ago.
Payrolls in the Financial Activities sector were cut by 1,400 in September. This drop in jobs is the third month since February that payrolls were cut in the sector but by far the most severe -- when combined, February and July losses totaled 400 workers.
Professional and Business Services displayed little growth in September as the sector added 500 jobs. Since September last year, the sector has expanded payrolls by 8,100 workers.

Employment in the Educational and Health Services sector grew by 2,700 in September. Over the last year, the sector has an additional 7,300 workers. Over the month, Educational Services added 2,000 employees and Health Care & Social Assistance jobs were up 700.
The Leisure and Hospitality sector lost 3,900 jobs in September. The sector does, however, have 3,200 more jobs over the past year.
In September, Government sector payrolls were up by 10,800 workers, thus continuing last months seasonal increase in education related positions. Local Government Education gained 7,400 jobs and 3,900 positions were added in State Government Education.
Metro Area Employment
The Albany Metro Area added 200 jobs in September. Government jobs were up 200 while Trade, Transportation & Utilities and Professional & Business Services each added 100 jobs.
Jobs in the Athens Metro Area were up by 300 for the month. Trade, Transportation & Utilities and Government both added 200 jobs. The Leisure & Hospitality and Other Services sectors both gained 100 workers.
In September, the Atlanta Metro Area gained 3,700 jobs. Government and Educational & Health Services added 5,600 and 1,400 workers, respectively. Leisure & Hospitality (-2,000 jobs) and Manufacturing (-900 jobs) endured the most job losses in the area.
The Augusta-Aiken Metro Area created 600 jobs in September. Over the past 7 months, the area has added 2,900 jobs. The largest September job gains occurred in Government and Educational & Health Services.
The number of jobs in the Columbus Metro Area edged up by 200 in September. Government added 200 workers and adding 100 jobs each were Professional & Business Services, Educational & Health Services, and Trade, Transportation & Utilities.
In the Macon Metro Area there were 300 jobs created over the month. September employment gains were in Government, Educational & Health Services, and Professional & Business Services.
The Savannah Metro Area added 400 jobs in September and has gained 1,600 jobs in the last two months. Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Educational & Health Services, Government, and Professional & Business Services all experienced job growth over the month.
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 SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change in Jobs from AUG 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs from SEP 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

3,912.8 3,270.9
662.3 3,250.5
12.2 203.0
46.0 34.4 122.6 447.1 198.1 23.8 43.2 249.0 66.9 822.4 205.3 439.5 78.7 90.1 177.6 20.4 157.2 38.3 46.4 19.2 24.0 125.9 55.1 29.5 15.4 19.1 219.6 158.5 64.0 61.1 508.2 196.1 27.4 32.3 43.2 25.1 52.5 259.6 123.7 397.1 62.3 37.3 334.8 114.1 47.1 47.1 358.9 36.6 322.3 280.4 176.5 641.9 93.4 33.1 154.0 68.8 394.5 244.7

3,905.6 3,274.5
663.8 3,241.8
12.4 202.6
46.2 34.7 121.7 448.8 199.1 23.8 43.5 249.7 66.9 821.0 206.1 437.2 78.3 89.3 177.7 20.7 157.0 38.5 46.3 19.0 24.3 127.0 55.8 30.1 15.4 19.6 221.0 159.5 64.5 61.5 507.7 197.0 27.4 32.1 44.0 25.3 52.9 257.8 122.4 394.4 60.3 35.6 334.1 113.6 46.4 46.6 362.8 38.2 324.6 281.5 176.8 631.1 93.1 33.2 150.7 64.9 387.3 237.3

3,882.4 3,248.5
657.8 3,224.6
12.4 198.9
44.4 31.9 122.6 446.5 197.9 23.3 42.9 248.6 65.0 823.6 205.4 443.9 79.0 87.4 174.3 20.3 154.0 38.3 46.6 18.6 22.9 125.2 54.2 29.7 13.7 19.9 219.3 160.2 65.0 59.1 500.1 192.0 26.2 33.9 44.2 24.3 51.3 256.8 124.3 389.8 60.4 34.8 329.4 110.2 49.7 46.9 355.7 37.8 317.9 277.4 177.0 633.9 93.7 32.8 155.3 68.8 384.9 236.5

+7.2 -3.6 -1.5 +8.7
-.2 +.4 -.2 -.3 +.9 -1.7 -1.0 +.0 -.3 -.7 +.0 +1.4 -.8 +2.3 +.4 +.8 -.1 -.3 +.2 -.2 +.1 +.2 -.3 -1.1 -.7 -.6 +.0 -.5 -1.4 -1.0 -.5 -.4 +.5 -.9 +.0 +.2 -.8 -.2 -.4 +1.8 +1.3 +2.7 +2.0 +1.7 +.7 +.5 +.7 +.5 -3.9 -1.6 -2.3 -1.1 -.3 +10.8 +.3 -.1 +3.3 +3.9 +7.2 +7.4

+0.2 -0.1 -0.2 +0.3 -1.6 +0.2 -0.4 -0.9 +0.7 -0.4 -0.5 +0.0 -0.7 -0.3 +0.0 +0.2 -0.4 +0.5 +0.5 +0.9 -0.1 -1.4 +0.1 -0.5 +0.2 +1.1 -1.2 -0.9 -1.3 -2.0 +0.0 -2.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.8 -0.7 +0.1 -0.5 +0.0 +0.6 -1.8 -0.8 -0.8 +0.7 +1.1 +0.7 +3.3 +4.8 +0.2 +0.4 +1.5 +1.1 -1.1 -4.2 -0.7 -0.4 -0.2 +1.7 +0.3 -0.3 +2.2 +6.0 +1.9 +3.1

+30.4 +22.4 +4.5 +25.9
-.2 +4.1 +1.6 +2.5
+.0 +.6 +.2 +.5 +.3 +.4 +1.9 -1.2 -.1 -4.4 -.3 +2.7 +3.3 +.1 +3.2 +.0 -.2 +.6 +1.1 +.7 +.9 -.2 +1.7 -.8 +.3 -1.7 -1.0 +2.0 +8.1 +4.1 +1.2 -1.6 -1.0 +.8 +1.2 +2.8 -.6 +7.3 +1.9 +2.5 +5.4 +3.9 -2.6 +.2 +3.2 -1.2 +4.4 +3.0 -.5 +8.0 -.3 +.3 -1.3 +.0 +9.6 +8.2

+0.8 +0.7 +0.7 +0.8 -1.6 +2.1 +3.6 +7.8 +0.0 +0.1 +0.1 +2.1 +0.7 +0.2 +2.9 -0.1 +0.0 -1.0 -0.4 +3.1 +1.9 +0.5 +2.1 +0.0 -0.4 +3.2 +4.8 +0.6 +1.7 -0.7 +12.4 -4.0 +0.1 -1.1 -1.5 +3.4 +1.6 +2.1 +4.6 -4.7 -2.3 +3.3 +2.3 +1.1 -0.5 +1.9 +3.1 +7.2 +1.6 +3.5 -5.2 +0.4 +0.9 -3.2 +1.4 +1.1 -0.3 +1.3 -0.3 +0.9 -0.8 +0.0 +2.5 +3.5

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 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 SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change in Jobs from AUG 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs from SEP 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

2,187.8 1,894.2
290.4 1,897.4
1.9 120.4
25.9 75.2 168.1 88.5 11.7 20.8 79.6 23.2 491.5 135.1 240.8 42.8 44.8 115.6 10.1 105.5 37.6 24.8 15.5 12.1 96.9 43.8 24.3 12.6 147.6 105.3 45.0 42.3 346.7 144.5 19.7 26.1 32.4 19.9 37.0 165.2 73.3 218.5 173.7 59.4 26.9 208.9 21.6 187.3 165.8 93.7 293.6 45.2 58.0 190.4

2,184.1 1,896.1
291.0 1,893.1
1.9 120.1
26.0 75.0 169.0 89.1 12.0 21.0 79.9 23.1 490.9 135.6 239.9 42.5 44.6 115.4 10.2 105.2 37.8 24.6 15.4 12.4 97.7 44.2 24.7 12.7 148.4 105.9 45.3 42.5 346.0 145.0 19.9 26.1 33.1 19.9 37.2 163.8 72.2 217.1 173.4 59.2 26.6 210.9 22.7 188.2 166.4 94.1 288.0 45.2 55.9 186.9

2,172.2 1,883.2
288.5 1,883.7
1.8 117.5 25.4 75.2 169.2 87.4 12.0 19.9 81.8 22.6 491.6 135.9 241.0 43.1 43.3 114.7 10.5 104.2 37.3 24.5 14.9
11.8 96.6 43.4 25.0 11.7 149.7 108.9 44.7 40.8 341.6 141.6 17.1 25.5 33.1 19.7 36.1 163.9 74.5 214.7 169.4 57.4 26.0 205.1 24.8 180.3 158.8 95.4 289.0 45.9 58.3 184.8

+3.7 +0.2 -1.9 -0.1
-.6 -0.2 +4.3 +0.2
+.0 +0.0 +.3 +0.2 -.1 -0.4 +.2 +0.3 -.9 -0.5 -.6 -0.7 -.3 -2.5 -.2 -1.0 -.3 -0.4 +.1 +0.4 +.6 +0.1 -.5 -0.4 +.9 +0.4 +.3 +0.7 +.2 +0.4 +.2 +0.2 -.1 -1.0 +.3 +0.3 -.2 -0.5 +.2 +0.8 +.1 +0.6 -.3 -2.4 -.8 -0.8 -.4 -0.9 -.4 -1.6 -.1 -0.8 -.8 -0.5 -.6 -0.6 -.3 -0.7 -.2 -0.5 +.7 +0.2 -.5 -0.3 -.2 -1.0 +.0 +0.0 -.7 -2.1 +.0 +0.0 -.2 -0.5 +1.4 +0.9 +1.1 +1.5 +1.4 +0.6 +.3 +0.2 +.2 +0.3 +.3 +1.1 -2.0 -0.9 -1.1 -4.8 -.9 -0.5 -.6 -0.4 -.4 -0.4 +5.6 +1.9 +.0 +0.0 +2.1 +3.8 +3.5 +1.9

+15.6 +11.0 +1.9 +13.7
+.1 +2.9
+.5 +.0 -1.1 +1.1 -.3 +.9 -2.2 +.6 -.1 -.8 -.2 -.3 +1.5 +.9 -.4 +1.3 +.3 +.3 +.6 +.3 +.3 +.4 -.7 +.9 -2.1 -3.6 +.3 +1.5 +5.1 +2.9 +2.6 +.6 -.7 +.2 +.9 +1.3 -1.2 +3.8 +4.3 +2.0 +.9 +3.8 -3.2 +7.0 +7.0 -1.7 +4.6 -.7 -.3 +5.6

+0.7 +0.6 +0.7 +0.7 +5.6 +2.5 +2.0 +0.0 -0.7 +1.3 -2.5 +4.5 -2.7 +2.7 +0.0 -0.6 -0.1 -0.7 +3.5 +0.8 -3.8 +1.2 +0.8 +1.2 +4.0 +2.5 +0.3 +0.9 -2.8 +7.7 -1.4 -3.3 +0.7 +3.7 +1.5 +2.0 +15.2 +2.4 -2.1 +1.0 +2.5 +0.8 -1.6 +1.8 +2.5 +3.5 +3.5 +1.9 -12.9 +3.9 +4.4 -1.8 +1.6 -1.5 -0.5 +3.0

Note: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton counties. The estimates include all full- and part-time wage and salary workers who were employed during or received pay for any part of the pay period that includes the twelfth of the month. Proprietors, domestic workers, self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and personnel of the armed forces are excluded. Estimates based on 2003 benchmark.
Source: Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Information & Analysis

4

Albany Nonagricultural Employment (000s)

Preliminary SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change in Jobs

from AUG 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from SEP 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

57.5

57.3

45.8

45.8

10.1

10.2

47.4

47.1

3.1

3.1

7.0

7.1

12.0

11.9

2.0

2.0

7.3

7.2

2.7

2.7

.9

1.0

2.1

2.1

5.4

5.3

8.3

8.3

4.4

4.4

2.6

2.6

11.7

11.5

2.3

2.3

9.4

9.2

57.0

+.2 +0.3

+.5 +0.9

45.5

+.0 +0.0

+.3 +0.7

10.2

-.1 -1.0

-.1 -1.0

46.8

+.3 +0.6

+.6 +1.3

3.1

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

7.1

-.1 -1.4

-.1 -1.4

11.8

+.1 +0.8

+.2 +1.7

2.0

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

7.0

+.1 +1.4

+.3 +4.3

2.8

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -3.6

1.0

-.1 -10.0

-.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

4.3

+.0 +0.0

+.1 +2.3

2.7

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -3.7

11.5

+.2 +1.7

+.2 +1.7

2.4

+.0 +0.0

-.1 -4.2

9.1

+.2 +2.2

+.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 SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change in Jobs

from AUG 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from SEP 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

74.5

74.2

53.4

53.3

11.9

12.0

62.6

62.2

2.9

3.0

9.0

9.0

11.8

11.6

1.9

1.9

8.5

8.3

1.4

1.4

.9

.9

2.5

2.6

6.0

6.1

9.3

9.3

7.0

6.9

4.0

3.9

21.1

20.9

1.7

1.7

19.4

19.2

74.6

+.3 +0.4

-.1 -0.1

53.5

+.1 +0.2

-.1 -0.2

11.6

-.1 -0.8

+.3 +2.6

63.0

+.4 +0.6

-.4 -0.6

2.9

-.1 -3.3

+.0 +0.0

8.7

+.0 +0.0

+.3 +3.4

12.3

+.2 +1.7

-.5 -4.1

1.9

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

9.0

+.2 +2.4

-.5 -5.6

1.4

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

.9

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

2.6

-.1 -3.8

-.1 -3.8

6.1

-.1 -1.6

-.1 -1.6

9.1

+.0 +0.0

+.2 +2.2

7.0

+.1 +1.4

+.0 +0.0

3.9

+.1 +2.6

+.1 +2.6

21.1

+.2 +1.0

+.0 +0.0

1.7

+.0 +0.0

+.0 +0.0

19.4

+.2 +1.0

+.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 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 SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change in Jobs

from AUG 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from SEP 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

204.5 164.9
37.6 166.9
13.0 24.6 32.9
4.0 24.1
4.8 3.2 7.6 30.2 26.0 5.3 20.7 6.7 19.2 8.2 39.6 7.3 32.3

203.9 164.7
37.4 166.5
12.9 24.5 32.8
4.1 23.9
4.8 3.3 7.7 30.0 25.8 5.2 20.6 6.6 19.5 8.2 39.2 7.3 31.9

203.0 163.5
38.5 164.5
13.4 25.1 33.3
4.1 24.3
4.9 3.3 7.3 29.6 25.0 4.8 20.2 6.3 18.6 7.9 39.5 7.3 32.2

+.6 +0.3 +.2 +0.1 +.2 +0.5 +.4 +0.2 +.1 +0.8 +.1 +0.4 +.1 +0.3 -.1 -2.4 +.2 +0.8 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -3.0 -.1 -1.3 +.2 +0.7 +.2 +0.8 +.1 +1.9 +.1 +0.5 +.1 +1.5 -.3 -1.5 +.0 +0.0 +.4 +1.0 +.0 +0.0 +.4 +1.3

+1.5 +1.4
-.9 +2.4
-.4 -.5 -.4 -.1 -.2 -.1 -.1 +.3 +.6 +1.0 +.5 +.5 +.4 +.6 +.3 +.1 +.0 +.1

+0.7 +0.9 -2.3 +1.5 -3.0 -2.0 -1.2 -2.4 -0.8 -2.0 -3.0 +4.1 +2.0 +4.0 +10.4 +2.5 +6.3 +3.2 +3.8 +0.3 +0.0 +0.3

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 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 SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change in Jobs from AUG 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs from SEP 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

117.6 96.5 19.4 98.2
5.5 13.9 17.2
2.4 13.4
1.4 6.0 9.0 7.1 4.8 12.6 13.0 13.4 12.1 5.9 21.1 4.9 16.2

117.4 96.5 19.6 97.8
5.6 14.0 17.1
2.4 13.3
1.4 6.0 9.0 7.1 4.8 12.5 12.9 13.5 12.2 5.9 20.9 5.0 15.9

118.3 97.0 19.4 98.9
5.4 14.0 17.9
2.5 13.7
1.7 6.5 8.7 6.9 4.6 12.1 13.4 13.2 12.2 5.8 21.3 5.0 16.3

+.2 +0.2 +.0 +0.0 -.2 -1.0 +.4 +0.4 -.1 -1.8 -.1 -0.7 +.1 +0.6 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.8 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.1 +0.8 +.1 +0.8 -.1 -0.7 -.1 -0.8 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.0 -.1 -2.0 +.3 +1.9

-.7 -0.6 -.5 -0.5 +.0 +0.0 -.7 -0.7 +.1 +1.9 -.1 -0.7 -.7 -3.9 -.1 -4.0 -.3 -2.2 -.3 -17.6 -.5 -7.7 +.3 +3.4 +.2 +2.9 +.2 +4.3 +.5 +4.1 -.4 -3.0 +.2 +1.5 -.1 -0.8 +.1 +1.7 -.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 SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change in Jobs

from AUG 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs

from SEP 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

151.1 115.5 19.2 131.9
6.2 13.0 26.0
3.5 18.4
4.1 2.7 10.5 16.8 21.1 13.5 5.7 35.6 14.4 21.2

150.8 115.6 19.4 131.4
6.2 13.2 26.0
3.5 18.4
4.1 2.7 10.6 16.7 20.8 13.7 5.7 35.2 14.4 20.8

150.4 115.5 20.3 130.1
6.2 14.1 25.7
3.5 18.2
4.0 2.8 10.4 16.2 20.9 13.6 5.6 34.9 14.3 20.6

+.3 +0.2 -.1 -0.1 -.2 -1.0 +.5 +0.4 +.0 +0.0 -.2 -1.5 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.9 +.1 +0.6 +.3 +1.4 -.2 -1.5 +.0 +0.0 +.4 +1.1 +.0 +0.0 +.4 +1.9

+.7 +0.5 +.0 +0.0 -1.1 -5.4 +1.8 +1.4 +.0 +0.0 -1.1 -7.8 +.3 +1.2 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.1 +.1 +2.5 -.1 -3.6 +.1 +1.0 +.6 +3.7 +.2 +1.0 -.1 -0.7 +.1 +1.8 +.7 +2.0 +.1 +0.7 +.6 +2.9

Note: These preliminary estimates were prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, based upon monthly reports submitted by selected employers in the 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 SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change in Jobs from AUG 2004

Net

%

Change in Jobs from SEP 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

142.6 121.1
21.6 121.0
8.6 13.0 31.0
5.0 17.7
8.3 1.9 6.4 15.9 19.1 17.9 7.3 21.5 2.7 18.8

142.2 120.9
21.7 120.5
8.6 13.1 30.6
5.0 17.5
8.1 1.9 6.5 15.8 18.9 18.2 7.3 21.3 2.7 18.6

141.4 120.2
21.9 119.5
8.5 13.4 30.5
5.0 17.5
8.0 1.9 6.5 15.1 19.3 17.9 7.1 21.2 2.7 18.5

+.4 +0.3 +.2 +0.2 -.1 -0.5 +.5 +0.4 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -0.8 +.4 +1.3 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.1 +.2 +2.5 +.0 +0.0 -.1 -1.5 +.1 +0.6 +.2 +1.1 -.3 -1.6 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +0.9 +.0 +0.0 +.2 +1.1

+1.2 +.9 -.3
+1.5 +.1 -.4 +.5 +.0 +.2 +.3 +.0 -.1 +.8 -.2 +.0 +.2 +.3 +.0 +.3

+0.8 +0.7 -1.4 +1.3 +1.2 -3.0 +1.6 +0.0 +1.1 +3.8 +0.0 -1.5 +5.3 -1.0 +0.0 +2.8 +1.4 +0.0 +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 declines
7.5%
Georgia's unemployment rate, at 4.2 percent, and its total unemployment level were at four-month lows in September. Although the over-the-month drop in the state's job- 6.5% less numbers were moderate at best, unemployment seems to be moving in the right direction. Over the month the state's 5.5% jobless rate was down by only one-tenth percentage point. Since June 2004, the state's jobless rate has declined fourtenths percent. In September 2003, 4.5% Georgia's rate was 4.6 percent.

Unemployment rates -- Georgia and U.S.

Ge orgi a

U.S .

The U.S. unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, also declined in September. The nation's rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 5.1 percent, its lowest level in nearly three years. And although the nation's rate had a larger over-themonth drop than the state, at nearly one percentage point below the nation in September, Georgia continued to compare favorably with the U.S. as a whole. In fact, the state's rate has prevailed at or below the nation's average for more than four years now. One year ago the U.S. rate was 5.8 percent.
In September, there were at least a couple of factors that caused the total number of unemployed Georgians to decline over the month. First, there were fewer persons filing unemployment insurance (UI) claims during the reference week in September and second, there were fewer re-entrants in the labor market. The state's unemployment level was down 1.2 percent over the month, a decline of 2,332. Over the year, Georgia's unemployment level has dropped by nearly 20,000 (-9.7%).

3.5%
Se p O ct Nov De c Jan Fe b 2003
Area data
In September, the unemployment rate in five of Georgia's seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) mirrored the statewide trend and declined over the month. The two areas to counter the state trend this month were Columbus, which at 5.0 percent, was essentially unchanged over the month, and Macon, which increased twotenths percent to 4.1 percent in September. Despite an over-the-month drop of twotenths percent, Augusta, at 5.2 percent in September, had the highest metro area rate. Athens, at 2.9 percent, once again claimed the top spot on the lowest rate list. Athens was also one of only three MSAs to post a rate below the statewide average in September. The other two were Macon and Savannah (3.4%).
In September, Georgia's 159 counties were nearly evenly split with decreasing and

Percent Southeastern states and U.S. unemployment rates
9

8

Se pte mber 2004 August 2004

7

6.7 6.5

6.2 6 5.7

5.9 5.6

5.4

5

4.7 4.9

4.7

4.2 4.3 4.3

4.9 4.4

4.8 4.8 5.1

4

3

2

1

0

AL

FL

GA

KY

MS

NC

SC

TN

US

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Se p 2004
increasing rates. Unemployment rates dropped over the month in 65 counties, increased in 70 counties and the remaining 24 counties were unchanged in September. Stewart County's rate, at 9.2 percent, was up eight-tenths percent over the month launching it to first on the state's highest county rate list. Towns County dropped over the month by four-tenths percentage point to 1.5 percent in September, the lowest rate in the state.
Mass Layoff Statistics
During September, Georgia employers initiated 11 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 815 separated workers affected by the layoffs, which represented a significant drop of 55.1 percent when compared to August, when 21 layoffs affected 1,827 workers. This month's figure represents a sizeable decline of 61.7 percent when compared to September 2003, when 19 layoff events initiated the filing of 2,130 initial claims.
In September, most states in the Southeast posted over-the-month declines in their unemployment rate, the same as the nation. Although Tennessee's rate didn't drop in September, it didn't lose any ground either, as its jobless rate, at 4.8 percent, was unchanged over the month. South Carolina, at 6.7 percent, was the only state to post an increase in September and was the highest in the region for the 15th straight month. Georgia's rate, at 4.2 percent, ranked lowest in the Southeast.

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 SEP 2004

Revised AUG 2004

Revised SEP 2003

Change From

Revised

Revised

AUG 2004

SEP 2003

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

4,425,159 4,238,690
186,469 4.2

4,423,858 4,235,057
188,801 4.3

4,442,555 4,236,163
206,392 4.6

1,301 3,633 -2,332

-17,396 2,527
-19,923

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

57,492 54,705
2,787 4.8

57,680 54,695
2,985 5.2

57,609 54,877
2,732 4.7

-188 10
-198

-117 -172
55

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

79,194 76,912
2,282 2.9

79,263 76,920
2,343 3.0

80,561 78,158
2,403 3.0

-69

-1,367

-8

-1,246

-61

-121

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

2,444,031 2,338,074
105,957 4.3

2,436,733 2,328,959
107,774 4.4

2,446,509 2,327,639
118,870 4.9

7,298 9,115 -1,817

-2,478 10,435 -12,913

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

223,402 211,788
11,614 5.2

223,660 211,677
11,983 5.4

219,215 208,623
10,592 4.8

-258 111
-369

4,187 3,165 1,022

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

129,922 123,455
6,467 5.0

129,616 123,109
6,507 5.0

132,702 125,011
7,691 5.8

306

-2,780

346

-1,556

-40

-1,224

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

162,205 155,554
6,651 4.1

161,534 155,179
6,355 3.9

162,697 156,144
6,553 4.0

671

-492

375

-590

296

98

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

149,804 144,710
5,094 3.4

149,791 144,427
5,364 3.6

150,724 144,740
5,984 4.0

13 283 -270

-920 -30
-890

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

Area

Employment Status

SEP 2004

AUG 2004

SEP 2003

Change From

AUG 2004

SEP 2003

United States
(Seasonally adjusted)

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed Rate

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

147,704,000 139,681,000
8,022,000 5.4

146,610,000 137,644,000
8,966,000 6.1

-221,000 -201,000
-19,000

873,000 1,836,000 -963,000

United States
(Not Seasonally adjusted)

Civilian labor force Employed Unemployed
Rate

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

148,166,000 140,226,000
7,940,000 5.4

146,166,000 137,731,000
8,436,000 5.8

-980,000 -585,000 -395,000

1,020,000 1,910,000 -891,000

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 September 2004

Revised August 2004

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

4,425,159 4,238,690 186,469 4.2

7,505 3,223 3,913 1,702 18,639

7,061 3,016 3,746 1,646 17,989

444 5.9 207 6.4 167 4.3
56 3.3 650 3.5

4,423,858 4,235,057 188,801 4.3

7,646 3,320 3,988 1,797 18,569

7,154 3,108 3,812 1,740 17,932

492 6.4 212 6.4 176 4.4
57 3.2 637 3.4

Banks Barrow Bartow Ben Hill Berrien

6,946 6,733

213 3.1

25,105 23,975 1,130 4.5

42,724 40,717 2,007 4.7

8,022 7,688

334 4.2

6,865 6,628

237 3.5

7,031 6,824

207 2.9

25,104 23,882 1,222 4.9

42,538 40,558 1,980 4.7

8,125 7,823

302 3.7

7,036 6,805

231 3.3

Bibb Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan

75,030 71,577 3,453 4.6

6,113 5,880

233 3.8

7,163 6,775

388 5.4

7,826 7,631

195 2.5

12,277 11,955

322 2.6

74,692 71,405 3,287 4.4

6,133 5,923

210 3.4

7,153 6,785

368 5.1

7,856 7,670

186 2.4

12,258 11,931

327 2.7

Bulloch Burke Butts Calhoun Camden

29,420 9,299 9,807 2,389
17,083

28,600 8,514 9,408 2,275
16,348

820 2.8 785 8.4 399 4.1 114 4.8 735 4.3

29,515 9,510 9,828 2,474
17,076

28,706 8,610 9,405 2,379
16,348

809 2.7 900 9.5 423 4.3
95 3.8 728 4.3

Candler Carroll Catoosa Charlton Chatham

4,020 3,853

167 4.2

47,658 45,735 1,923 4.0

30,365 29,698

667 2.2

4,483 4,299

184 4.1

116,531 112,470 4,061 3.5

4,130

3,956

174 4.2

47,652 45,557 2,095 4.4

30,057 29,353

704 2.3

4,492 4,299

193 4.3

116,617 112,250 4,367 3.7

Chattahoochee 2,292

2,118

174 7.6

Chattooga

11,195 10,813

382 3.4

Cherokee

88,394 85,754 2,640 3.0

Clarke

50,885 49,337 1,548 3.0

Clay

1,849 1,795

54 2.9

2,293

2,111

182 7.9

11,207 10,803

404 3.6

88,273 85,420 2,853 3.2

50,949 49,342 1,607 3.2

1,924 1,854

70 3.6

Clayton Clinch Cobb Coffee Colquitt

143,471 135,433 8,038 5.6

2,884 2,764

120 4.2

384,737 370,729 14,008 3.6

20,977 20,017

960 4.6

17,926 17,265

661 3.7

142,883 134,905 7,978 5.6

2,918 2,819

99 3.4

383,600 369,284 14,316 3.7

21,240 20,330

910 4.3

18,374 17,679

695 3.8

Columbia Cook Coweta Crawford Crisp

47,090 45,581 1,509 3.2

7,671 7,332

339 4.4

48,640 46,847 1,793 3.7

6,444 6,174

270 4.2

9,239 8,672

567 6.1

46,898 45,411 1,487 3.2

7,752 7,459

293 3.8

48,641 46,664 1,977 4.1

6,489 6,216

273 4.2

9,418 8,870

548 5.8

Revised September 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

4,442,555 4,236,163 206,392 4.6

7,682 3,333 3,997 1,785 18,650

7,131 3,091 3,799 1,720 17,917

551 7.2 242 7.3 198 5.0
65 3.6 733 3.9

7,065 25,060 42,611
8,297 6,993

6,805 23,868 40,535
7,794 6,766

260 3.7 1,192 4.8 2,076 4.9
503 6.1 227 3.2

75,092 6,059 7,176 7,870
12,343

71,849 5,908 6,772 7,655 11,957

3,243 4.3 151 2.5 404 5.6 215 2.7 386 3.1

29,666 9,708 9,834 2,492
17,144

28,657 8,583 9,394 2,359
16,329

1,009 3.4 1,125 11.6
440 4.5 133 5.3 815 4.8

4,106 47,870 30,275
4,563 117,326

3,935 45,531 29,544
4,293 112,493

171 4.2 2,339 4.9
731 2.4 270 5.9 4,833 4.1

2,347 11,198 88,829 51,734 1,907

2,148 10,791 85,371 50,137
1,842

199 8.5 407 3.6 3,458 3.9 1,597 3.1
65 3.4

143,848 134,828 9,020 6.3

2,944 2,806

138 4.7

385,032 369,075 15,957 4.1

21,729 20,257 1,472 6.8

18,436 17,593

843 4.6

46,860 7,807
48,887 6,468 9,369

45,599 7,429
46,637 6,197 8,830

1,261 2.7 378 4.8
2,250 4.6 271 4.2 539 5.8

10

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Dade Dawson Decatur DeKalb Dodge

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary September 2004

Revised August 2004

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,903 7,721

182 2.3

11,771 11,461

310 2.6

11,583 10,834

749 6.5

395,225 374,164 21,061 5.3

10,320 10,033

287 2.8

7,830 7,631

199 2.5

11,777 11,438

339 2.9

11,776 11,024

752 6.4

394,025 372,705 21,320 5.4

10,345 10,078

267 2.6

Dooly Dougherty Douglas Early Echols

4,392 4,215

177 4.0

43,752 41,315 2,437 5.6

54,744 52,268 2,476 4.5

5,107 4,834

273 5.3

1,913 1,871

42 2.2

4,463 4,312

151 3.4

43,925 41,308 2,617 6.0

54,474 52,064 2,410 4.4

5,243 4,990

253 4.8

1,909 1,881

28 1.5

Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Fannin

20,996 9,579 8,880 5,235 9,427

20,285 9,098 8,407 5,099 9,124

711 3.4 481 5.0 473 5.3 136 2.6 303 3.2

20,915 9,614 8,979 5,295 9,437

20,246 9,182 8,478 5,171 9,135

669 3.2 432 4.5 501 5.6 124 2.3 302 3.2

Fayette Floyd Forsyth Franklin Fulton

50,993 49,621 1,372 2.7

48,712 46,432 2,280 4.7

63,741 62,123 1,618 2.5

11,367 10,907

460 4.0

431,701 410,047 21,654 5.0

50,788 49,427 1,361 2.7

48,511 46,285 2,226 4.6

63,477 61,881 1,596 2.5

11,472 11,007

465 4.1

430,707 408,448 22,259 5.2

Gilmer Glascock Glynn Gordon Grady

9,663 9,283

380 3.9

1,042

997

45 4.3

36,774 35,585 1,189 3.2

22,472 21,522

950 4.2

9,359 8,975

384 4.1

9,704 9,353

351 3.6

1,053 1,007

46 4.4

36,697 35,526 1,171 3.2

22,572 21,596

976 4.3

9,633 9,252

381 4.0

Greene

5,760 5,417

343 6.0

Gwinnett

391,586 377,559 14,027 3.6

Habersham

16,935 16,520

415 2.5

Hall

81,186 78,783 2,403 3.0

Hancock

3,670 3,453

217 5.9

5,828 5,471

357 6.1

390,445 376,087 14,358 3.7

17,117 16,674

443 2.6

81,148 78,573 2,575 3.2

3,702 3,473

229 6.2

Haralson Harris Hart Heard Henry

10,843 10,329

514 4.7

13,595 13,213

382 2.8

9,476 9,044

432 4.6

5,204 4,993

211 4.1

75,311 72,238 3,073 4.1

10,819 10,323

496 4.6

13,619 13,173

446 3.3

9,580 9,122

458 4.8

5,242 4,988

254 4.8

74,954 71,957 2,997 4.0

Houston Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis

58,230 56,357 1,873 3.2

4,599 4,456

143 3.1

25,140 24,267

873 3.5

5,403 5,157

246 4.6

4,907 4,552

355 7.2

58,047 56,221 1,826 3.1

4,669 4,534

135 2.9

25,301 24,428

873 3.5

5,449 5,180

269 4.9

4,945 4,625

320 6.5

Revised September 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,903 7,681

222 2.8

11,744 11,413

331 2.8

11,641 10,981

660 5.7

394,886 372,494 22,392 5.7

10,379 10,046

333 3.2

4,582 43,742 54,691
5,283 1,925

4,292 41,445 52,034
4,959 1,877

290 6.3 2,297 5.3 2,657 4.9
324 6.1 48 2.5

21,055 9,794 8,950 5,299 9,527

20,290 9,160 8,414 5,154 9,067

765 3.6 634 6.5 536 6.0 145 2.7 460 4.8

51,042 49,399 1,643 3.2

48,238 46,246 1,992 4.1

63,857 61,846 2,011 3.1

11,455 10,981

474 4.1

433,651 408,217 25,434 5.9

9,707 1,047 36,831 22,570 9,537

9,338 1,005 35,509 21,561 9,148

369 3.8 42 4.0
1,322 3.6 1,009 4.5
389 4.1

5,804 5,459

345 5.9

391,787 375,874 15,913 4.1

17,150 16,632

518 3.0

81,181 78,422 2,759 3.4

3,743 3,465

278 7.4

10,785 13,811 9,560 5,251 75,136

10,265 13,404
9,100 4,977 71,916

520 4.8 407 2.9 460 4.8 274 5.2 3,220 4.3

58,338 4,790
25,323 5,458 5,089

56,570 4,517
24,381 5,147 4,609

1,768 3.0 273 5.7 942 3.7 311 5.7 480 9.4

11

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary September 2004

Revised August 2004

Labor Force
7,321 4,029 3,335 13,100 6,636

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

6,695 3,870 3,135 12,640 6,301

626 8.6 159 3.9 200 6.0 460 3.5 335 5.0

Labor Force
7,407 4,134 3,354 13,072 6,663

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

6,777 3,953 3,167 12,609 6,310

630 8.5 181 4.4 187 5.6 463 3.5 353 5.3

Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Lincoln

3,688 3,614

74 2.0

23,085 22,009 1,076 4.7

13,740 13,390

350 2.5

19,742 18,619 1,123 5.7

2,521 2,341

180 7.1

3,724 3,632

92 2.5

23,169 22,098 1,071 4.6

13,755 13,387

368 2.7

19,698 18,571 1,127 5.7

2,521 2,364

157 6.2

Long Lowndes Lumpkin McDuffie McIntosh

5,092 4,906

186 3.7

47,398 46,187 1,211 2.6

12,343 12,015

328 2.7

9,726 9,180

546 5.6

5,116 4,885

231 4.5

5,035 4,894

141 2.8

47,668 46,420 1,248 2.6

12,419 12,015

404 3.3

9,753 9,146

607 6.2

5,109 4,910

199 3.9

Macon Madison Marion Meriwether Miller

5,321 13,858
2,851 9,468 3,332

4,920 13,421
2,678 8,846 3,235

401 7.5 437 3.2 173 6.1 622 6.6
97 2.9

5,494 13,875
2,906 9,440 3,469

5,080 13,422
2,727 8,836 3,339

414 7.5 453 3.3 179 6.2 604 6.4 130 3.7

Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray

12,090 8,065 3,778 8,123
19,046

11,576 7,689 3,551 7,811 18,425

514 4.3 376 4.7 227 6.0 312 3.8 621 3.3

12,393 8,083 3,793 8,258
18,933

11,842 7,675 3,589 7,941 18,331

551 4.4 408 5.0 204 5.4 317 3.8 602 3.2

Muscogee Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Paulding

88,918 84,666 4,252 4.8

34,897 33,041 1,856 5.3

14,451 14,154

297 2.1

6,873 6,656

217 3.2

49,122 47,240 1,882 3.8

88,613 84,405 4,208 4.7

34,801 32,912 1,889 5.4

14,437 14,155

282 2.0

6,934 6,705

229 3.3

48,957 47,056 1,901 3.9

Peach Pickens Pierce Pike Polk

11,383 12,848
8,517 8,238 19,896

10,704 12,514
8,246 7,943 19,018

679 6.0 334 2.6 271 3.2 295 3.6 878 4.4

11,262 12,808
8,658 8,240 19,812

10,678 12,465
8,385 7,933 18,924

584 5.2 343 2.7 273 3.2 307 3.7 888 4.5

Pulaski Putnam Quitman Rabun Randolph

4,332 10,135
1,512 7,645 3,082

4,200 9,798 1,462 7,494 2,904

132 3.0 337 3.3
50 3.3 151 2.0 178 5.8

4,383 10,114
1,511 7,649 3,141

4,262 9,825 1,471 7,519 2,969

121 2.8 289 2.9
40 2.6 130 1.7 172 5.5

Revised September 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

7,399 4,140 3,438 13,181 6,663

6,754 3,931 3,158 12,688 6,294

645 8.7 209 5.0 280 8.1 493 3.7 369 5.5

3,717 23,492 13,867 19,548
2,585

3,625 22,060 13,432 18,551
2,356

92 2.5 1,432 6.1
435 3.1 997 5.1 229 8.9

5,030 47,801 12,340
9,815 5,107

4,889 46,331 11,989
9,184 4,900

141 2.8 1,470 3.1
351 2.8 631 6.4 207 4.1

5,462 14,162
2,925 9,412 3,468

5,048 13,638
2,716 8,818 3,317

414 7.6 524 3.7 209 7.1 594 6.3 151 4.4

12,381 8,078 3,794 8,221
19,041

11,785 7,656 3,579 7,912 18,303

596 4.8 422 5.2 215 5.7 309 3.8 738 3.9

90,996 34,890 14,665
6,995 48,967

85,885 32,893 14,383
6,686 47,029

5,111 5.6 1,997 5.7
282 1.9 309 4.4 1,938 4.0

11,612 12,969
8,633 8,288 19,640

10,744 12,458
8,353 7,914 18,898

868 7.5 511 3.9 280 3.2 374 4.5 742 3.8

4,366 10,180
1,508 7,647 3,176

4,241 9,800 1,459 7,516 2,958

125 2.9 380 3.7
49 3.2 131 1.7 218 6.9

12

Georgia Labor Force Estimates by County (not seasonally adjusted)

Richmond Rockdale Schley Screven Seminole

Place of Residence - Persons 16 Years and Older

Preliminary September 2004

Revised August 2004

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

85,414 80,415 4,999 5.9

40,863 38,933 1,930 4.7

1,850 1,780

70 3.8

5,622 5,296

326 5.8

4,691 4,505

186 4.0

85,091 80,115 4,976 5.8

40,571 38,781 1,790 4.4

1,874 1,790

84 4.5

5,715 5,404

311 5.4

4,836 4,657

179 3.7

Spalding Stephens Stewart Sumter Talbot

29,061 27,473 1,588 5.5

11,988 11,259

729 6.1

2,544 2,309

235 9.2

14,615 13,785

830 5.7

2,947 2,765

182 6.2

28,933 27,366 1,567 5.4

12,021 11,267

754 6.3

2,557 2,343

214 8.4

14,717 13,932

785 5.3

2,949 2,775

174 5.9

Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell

802 6,935 3,650 4,036 4,100

761 6,646 3,474 3,812 3,821

41 5.1 289 4.2 176 4.8 224 5.6 279 6.8

833 7,212 3,724 4,102 4,207

778 6,912 3,541 3,892 3,927

55 6.6 300 4.2 183 4.9 210 5.1 280 6.7

Thomas Tift Toombs Towns Treutlen

22,875 21,179 11,781
5,004 3,004

22,047 20,355 11,078
4,930 2,823

828 3.6 824 3.9 703 6.0
74 1.5 181 6.0

23,132 21,417 11,893
5,052 3,033

22,248 20,672 11,198
4,955 2,854

884 3.8 745 3.5 695 5.8
97 1.9 179 5.9

Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson

31,208 29,494 1,714 5.5

4,395 4,139

256 5.8

4,461 4,276

185 4.1

9,424 9,170

254 2.7

10,384 9,816

568 5.5

31,227 29,446 1,781 5.7

4,528 4,274

254 5.6

4,462 4,266

196 4.4

9,546 9,297

249 2.6

10,388 9,828

560 5.4

Walker Walton Ware Warren Washington

32,239 31,348

891 2.8

33,213 31,665 1,548 4.7

15,925 15,235

690 4.3

2,222 2,069

153 6.9

9,197 8,807

390 4.2

31,866 30,984

882 2.8

33,104 31,541 1,563 4.7

15,981 15,276

705 4.4

2,264 2,094

170 7.5

9,237 8,865

372 4.0

Wayne Webster Wheeler White Whitfield

11,648 11,113

535 4.6

1,214 1,136

78 6.4

2,076 1,961

115 5.5

10,035 9,767

268 2.7

51,200 49,732 1,468 2.9

11,691 11,155

536 4.6

1,238 1,167

71 5.7

2,138 2,002

136 6.4

10,118 9,843

275 2.7

51,065 49,621 1,444 2.8

Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth

3,375 4,976 4,335 9,713

3,243 4,658 4,141 9,267

132 3.9 318 6.4 194 4.5 446 4.6

3,451 5,002 4,343 9,952

3,317 4,700 4,138 9,502

134 3.9 302 6.0 205 4.7 450 4.5

Revised September 2003

Labor Force

Employment

Unemployment Number Rate

85,060 40,584
1,866 5,764 4,801

80,447 38,759
1,784 5,384 4,626

4,613 5.4 1,825 4.5
82 4.4 380 6.6 175 3.6

29,129 12,050
2,487 14,687
2,949

27,350 11,252 2,334 13,893 2,767

1,779 6.1 798 6.6 153 6.2 794 5.4 182 6.2

836 7,133 3,749 4,173 4,140

774 6,860 3,527 3,875 3,907

62 7.4 273 3.8 222 5.9 298 7.1 233 5.6

23,080 21,387 11,924
5,038 3,038

22,195 20,600 11,165
4,953 2,845

885 3.8 787 3.7 759 6.4
85 1.7 193 6.4

31,129 4,615 4,473 9,569
10,457

29,422 4,250 4,292 9,276 9,815

1,707 5.5 365 7.9 181 4.0 293 3.1 642 6.1

32,192 32,782 15,907
2,320 9,356

31,185 31,523 15,254
2,086 8,845

1,007 3.1 1,259 3.8
653 4.1 234 10.1 511 5.5

11,684 1,212 2,155 10,132 51,227

11,139 1,161 1,993 9,827 49,573

545 4.7 51 4.2
162 7.5 305 3.0 1,654 3.2

3,442 5,146 4,376 9,964

3,302 4,682 4,131 9,453

140 4.1 464 9.0 245 5.6 511 5.1

13

New Developments

In the spring of 2005 Thomas County will find
itself with a new employer in town. The new business, American Fresh Foods, is a joint venture between Fairbanks Farms and American Food Service. A third party, Burger King, actually initiated the idea of a Thomasville location. The two companies, while not household names, have been satisfying customers for quite a while. Fairbanks Farms is Wal-Mart's oldest supplier of ground beef and American Food Service has been putting the beef in your Whoppers for over 30 years. The facility is being constructed on the west by-pass in Thomasville and will create about 100 jobs in the first three years of production.
The first Georgia market to land an Academy
Sports and Outdoors store will be Bibb County. The Texas-based company that operates 76 retail locations in the Southeast will tear down the old Service Merchandise building on Eisenhower Parkway and erect their own new building. The 64,000 square foot store is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2005 and will employ about 75 people. Being located in nearby cities such as Pensacola, Birmingham, and Mobile, the company was very interested in the Macon market to establish a foothold on business in Georgia. The privately owned company sells sporting goods, outdoor equipment, and exercise equipment. Due to their diversity, Academy competes with several types of stores including sporting goods, outdoor stores, and department stores.
Savannah will become home to the new east coast
distribution center of the world's largest manufacturer of home fitness equipment. Icon Health & Fitness should move into their new 600,000 square foot facility by July 2005. The company, headquartered in Logan, Utah, makes such well known brands as Nordic Track, Pro-Form, HealthRider, and Gold's Gym exercise equipment. Icon has facilities in China, Europe, and Canada as well as the United States. The manufacturing is split about 5050 between their U. S. and China plants. The new Chatham County warehouse, which will employ at least 150 people, will receive and distribute equipment manufactured in China. The Savannah site was chosen due to the close proximity to the

Savannah Ports Authority and the large number of carriers.
Turner County has welcomed Phoenix Wood
Products, a company based out of Ocala, Florida. The company has opened a new facility in Ashburn that currently employs 30 people, and company representatives state if business continues to be good that the number could climb to 50. The primary product manufactured in the new facility is wood pallets used by manufacturers in other industries. The company customizes pallets to meet their customers' particular specifications. The company's success had overtaxed their Ocala facility, and the Ashburn location, which had been vacant for several years, was a good fit since they have many south Georgia customers.
Michelin Retread Technologies in Covington
is currently undergoing a $15 million expansion that will add 50 new jobs and double the plant's production. The company began operations in 1999, and this is their first major expansion. This division of Michelin makes pre-molded treads for the truck retreading industry and ships them to their distribution center in North Carolina. With the expansion, the Newton County facility will be able to produce retreads for the new X One tire, a wide tire that replaces the dual wheels on trucks and trailers turning 18 wheelers into 10 wheelers. The expansion project will be done in several phases with this initial phase being completed some time in early 2005.
Standard Textile of Augusta announced an ex-
pansion that would increase the employment in Richmond County by 54 workers. The company will be hiring additional manufacturing and management personnel at their blanket weaving facility. Since purchasing the King Mill in 2001 the company has focused a significant amount of resources to transform this plant into a world class institutional blanket producing facility. They have upgraded this location with the latest manufacturing and distribution technology which has increased efficiencies and upgraded the quality of their product. They will also begin operating the mill seven days a week instead of five in order to keep up with the increased demands.

14

Georgia Unemployment Rates by County
September 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

September Average Initial Weekly Average
Claims Benefit Duration

County

September Average Initial Weekly Average
Claims Benefit Duration

Appling

82 ...... $227 ..... 11.1

Atkinson

35 ...... $192 ..... 12.8

Bacon

20 ...... $185 ..... 10.9

Baker

10 ...... $149 ..... 11.3

Baldwin

144 ...... $165 ..... 10.7

Banks

37 ...... $217 ..... 11.1

Barrow

222 ...... $223 ..... 12.8

Bartow

552 ...... $231 ..... 11.5

Ben Hill

162 ...... $149 ....... 7.2

Berrien

57 ...... $182 ....... 8.3

Bibb

660 ...... $180 ..... 13.9

Bleckley

218 ...... $172 ....... 8.9

Brantley

67 ...... $233 ..... 11.3

Brooks

51 ...... $192 ..... 10.3

Bryan

39 ...... $225 ..... 12.6

Bulloch

141 ...... $187 ..... 14.4

Burke

130 ...... $174 ..... 12.8

Butts

70 ...... $195 ..... 13.5

Calhoun

19 ...... $141 ..... 13.2

Camden

91 ...... $201 ..... 12.5

Candler

40 ...... $164 ..... 12.1

Carroll

348 ...... $210 ..... 12.1

Catoosa

111 ...... $226 ....... 8.6

Charlton

14 ...... $216 ..... 16.1

Chatham

569 ...... $196 ..... 14.4

Chattahoochee 10 ...... $175 ..... 12.4

Chattooga

46 ...... $216 ..... 14.8

Cherokee

367 ...... $242 ..... 15.0

Clarke

224 ...... $187 ..... 14.0

Clay

16 ...... $215 ..... 10.5

Clayton

1,064 ...... $217 ..... 15.5

Clinch

35 ...... $167 ..... 13.7

Cobb

1,553 ...... $241 ..... 16.4

Coffee

233 ...... $176 ..... 12.7

Colquitt

222 ...... $161 ....... 9.1

Columbia

177 ...... $222 ..... 13.7

Cook

110 ...... $186 ....... 9.5

Coweta

281 ...... $218 ..... 12.6

Crawford

29 ...... $220 ..... 15.2

Crisp

81 ...... $166 ....... 8.5

Dade

20 ...... $222 ....... 5.9

Dawson

45 ...... $223 ..... 13.1

Decatur

205 ...... $174 ..... 12.6

DeKalb

2,731 ...... $225 ..... 15.2

Dodge

113 ...... $156 ..... 10.3

Dooly

59 ...... $157 ....... 7.3

Dougherty

399 ...... $168 ..... 14.2

Douglas

331 ...... $241 ..... 14.8

Early

45 ...... $164 ..... 11.8

Echols

9 ...... $197 ..... 12.4

Effingham

92 ...... $234 ..... 12.8

Elbert

114 ...... $170 ....... 8.4

Emanuel

126 ...... $165 ..... 10.1

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

43 ...... $190 ..... 10.2 71 ...... $197 ....... 9.8 135 ...... $245 ..... 15.7 602 ...... $209 ..... 10.9 192 ...... $252 ..... 15.9 159 ...... $208 ..... 10.5 2,650 ...... $218 ..... 15.9 165 ...... $216 ....... 8.5
9 ...... $200 ..... 12.8 221 ...... $202 ..... 12.1 536 ...... $202 ....... 7.1 211 ...... $191 ....... 9.8
42 ...... $183 ..... 11.1 1,953 ...... $245 ..... 15.1
121 ...... $209 ....... 7.9 408 ...... $222 ..... 11.4
47 ...... $180 ..... 10.4 96 ...... $205 ..... 11.3 75 ...... $209 ..... 10.5 126 ...... $195 ....... 8.5 38 ...... $213 ..... 10.1 380 ...... $233 ..... 15.2 329 ...... $192 ..... 13.0 72 ...... $169 ....... 7.9 158 ...... $216 ..... 11.8 38 ...... $243 ..... 12.9 112 ...... $177 ....... 8.5 94 ...... $163 ..... 12.7 78 ...... $146 ....... 8.0 106 ...... $168 ....... 8.9 63 ...... $219 ..... 14.9 69 ...... $193 ..... 11.5 13 ...... $183 ..... 11.1 621 ...... $175 ..... 11.7 51 ...... $235 ..... 10.6 126 ...... $180 ..... 12.5 75 ...... $174 ..... 10.2 26 ...... $216 ..... 13.8 287 ...... $178 ..... 11.0 80 ...... $228 ....... 7.5 62 ...... $186 ..... 11.4 105 ...... $220 ..... 12.0 22 ...... $177 ..... 13.8 90 ...... $175 ..... 10.4 52 ...... $205 ..... 13.3 127 ...... $198 ..... 10.6 33 ...... $157 ..... 10.5 72 ...... $151 ..... 14.5 71 ...... $226 ..... 13.4 85 ...... $200 ....... 8.5 33 ...... $194 ..... 11.3 222 ...... $216 ....... 5.6 584 ...... $177 ..... 11.7

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

September 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

266 ...... $225 ..... 14.6 55 ...... $230 ..... 13.6 42 ...... $186 ..... 12.1
260 ...... $239 ..... 14.5 117 ...... $175 ..... 15.8
55 ...... $226 ..... 11.8 67 ...... $209 ..... 13.2 57 ...... $198 ..... 13.4 312 ...... $206 ....... 9.9 87 ...... $157 ....... 8.0 82 ...... $172 ....... 7.6
4 ...... $168 ..... 17.7 32 ...... $186 ....... 8.9 31 ...... $173 ..... 10.7 666 ...... $186 ..... 13.1 237 ...... $229 ..... 14.3 21 ...... $183 ..... 10.1 86 ...... $181 ..... 10.6 52 ...... $172 ..... 10.5 282 ...... $190 ..... 13.1 238 ...... $218 ..... 10.5 44 ...... $169 ..... 16.6 150 ...... $140 ..... 10.9 27 ...... $194 ..... 10.9
2 ...... $196 ..... 11.8 67 ...... $189 ..... 10.9 40 ...... $194 ..... 13.3 38 ...... $187 ....... 9.7 39 ...... $147 ....... 9.0 182 ...... $170 ..... 12.3 298 ...... $167 ....... 8.6 182 ...... $189 ..... 10.2 38 ...... $197 ..... 10.2 96 ...... $192 ....... 9.0 264 ...... $198 ....... 9.1 76 ...... $155 ....... 9.2 82 ...... $173 ..... 11.5 50 ...... $215 ..... 12.9 103 ...... $180 ..... 11.8 171 ...... $225 ....... 8.3 214 ...... $216 ..... 13.0 148 ...... $175 ..... 12.5 41 ...... $154 ....... 8.1 66 ...... $144 ..... 12.7 105 ...... $200 ..... 12.6 13 ...... $179 ..... 14.4 31 ...... $201 ....... 9.9 92 ...... $207 ..... 10.6 533 ...... $214 ....... 5.3 18 ...... $147 ....... 7.2 116 ...... $137 ..... 12.7 65 ...... $194 ..... 13.3 125 ...... $193 ..... 11.0

Unemployment Insurance Statistics

Thousands 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

Thousands 15

Benefit exhaustions
Third quarter 2003 - Third quarter 2004
2003 2004

10

5

0 Jul

Aug

Sep

Initial claims and number of benefit claimants decline sharply over the year...

Initial claims fell by almost 2,000 in September, dropping from 34,383 in August to this month's total of 32,452, a decline of 5.6 percent. For third quarter 2004, 106,595 separated workers in Georgia filed an initial claim, down 29.4 percent when compared to the 150,922 filings for July, August and September of 2003. This month's figure was down by over 12,000 (-27.3%) when compared to September's 2003 total of 44,635.

September's number was down 12.2 percent over the month and fell by over 22,000 (-28.4%) when compared to the same month one year ago. As with initial claims and beneficiaries, benefit payments shrunk in September by 20.2 percent as this month's figure of $42,044,402 was down by more than $10 million over the month. For the year, benefits paid dropped sharply by over $24 million (-36.9%).

Of the 32,452 initial claims filed during the month, 20,218 (62.3%) were for new claims, a drop of 12.3 percent when compared to last year. There were 11,036 additional claims filed in August (34.0% of the initial claims total), a decrease of 44.9 percent when compared to the same month one year ago.
The Atlanta metropolitan statistical area accounted for 14,303 initial claims during September, a decrease of 25.1 percent over the year. Columbus (-49.8%), Athens (-42.9%), Augusta (-32.8%), Albany (-25.2%) and Savannah (-10.1%) also saw over-the-year declines while Macon experienced a jump of 22.4 percent in initial claims when compared to September 2003.
In September, 56,954 separated workers received unemployment compensation, the lowest figure for beneficiaries since November 2000, when 51,368 laid off workers received a benefit check.

Benefit exhaustions fell over the month, as September's total of 6,243 was down 21.4 percent when compared to August (7,939). Further, this month's total represents the lowest figure for final payments since September 2001, when 5,676 separated workers exhausted benefits. During third quarter 2004, 21,619 unemployed workers exhausted their benefits, a decrease of over 9,000 (-29.8%) when compared to the 30,809 benefit exhaustions during July, August and September of 2003. Over the year, exhaustions tumbled by over 4,000 (-40.4%).
After many months where the average duration of benefits either held at 12.8 weeks (March, April, May, June and August) or bumped up to 12.9 weeks (July), the duration fell for the second consecutive month, averaging 12.5 weeks for September. The average number of weeks laid off workers draw benefits stood at 12.2 weeks one year ago.

Statistical Trends

September 2004

September 2003

Net Change

Percent Change

Initial Claims .............................................................. 32,452 ................................ 44,635 ................................. -12,183 ............................. -27.3%

Continued Weeks Claimed ..................................... 215,061 .............................. 321,431 ............................... -106,370 ............................. -33.1%

Beneficiaries ........................................................... 56,954 ................................ 79,546 ................................. -22,592 ............................. -28.4%

Benefits Paid .................................................. $42,044,402 ....................... $66,639,060 ....................... -$24,594,658 ............................. -36.9%

Weeks Paid ............................................................ 180,093 .............................. 278,560 ................................. -98,467 ............................. -35.3%

First Payments ......................................................... 13,510 ................................ 16,758 ................................... -3,248 ............................. -19.4%

Final Payments .......................................................... 6,243 ................................ 10,471 ................................... -4,228 ............................. -40.4%

Average Weekly Benefit ....................................... $233.46 .............................. $239.23 ................................... -$5.77 ............................... -2.4%

Average Duration (weeks) ......................................... 12.5 .................................... 12.2 ........................................ 0.3 ................................. 2.5%

Trust Fund Balance ...................................... $889,190,332 ..................... $832,624,280 ......................... $56,566,052 ................................. 6.8%

17

ReJleuasst ed

Georgia's
Careers to 2012
A listing of the careers that are expected to have everything going for them over the next ten years
Fast job growth High wages At least 100 annual openings
Featuring valuable information on each Career
Personal skills and abilities required Work characteristics found Average wage Expected number of annual openings

Available in printed format or online at
ftp://quicksource.dol.state.ga.us/Current/hot_careers_current.pdf

To obtain a copy to this publication at no charge, please complete and mail this form

Mail to:

If you prefer, you may e-mail your request to israel. hora@dol.state.ga.us or fax to (404) 232-3888
Israel Hora Workforce Information and Analysis Georgia Department of Labor 223 Courtland Street, NE, Suite 300 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751

Please send the Hot Careers publication to:

Name Company / Agency Address City

State

Zip Code

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
Joe Newsome: Occupational employment, forecasts and wages
Jeanette Mains: Occupational Employment Survey
Electronic Delivery
Girmaye Gizaw: 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
October
Unemployment Insurance Claims ............... Nov. 11
Georgia Unemployment Rate/ Non-farmEmployment .......... Nov. 18 Civilian Labor Force/Area Unemployment Rates ......... Nov. 25
November
Unemployment Insurance Claims ................ Dec. 9
Georgia Unemployment Rate/ Non-farmEmployment ......... Dec. 16 Civilian Labor Force/Area Unemployment Rates ......... Dec. 23

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