Metro Atlanta’s jobless rate jumps to 10.5 percent in June

The unemployment rate in metro Atlanta skyrocketed to 10.5 percent in June, from a revised 9.7 percent in May, the state labor department said Thursday.

The jobless rate is now higher than a year ago, when it was in 10.3 percent.

“The increase was caused primarily by two seasonal factors,” Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said in a statement. (Metro Atlanta’s rate is not seasonally adjusted.) “There were layoffs among non-contract public school employees, such as bus drivers and janitorial workers, and an increase in the labor force, as students began looking for permanent or part-time jobs.”

Metro Atlanta had a net loss of 4,600 jobs, with additional layoffs in manufacturing, trade, administrative and support services, health care and social assistance, the labor department said.

Among the core metro counties, Clayton had the highest unemployment rate at 13 percent. Fulton posted 11 percent, followed by DeKalb (10.8 percent), Cobb (9.8) percent and Gwinnett (9.4 percent).

In the city of Atlanta, unemployment hit 11.8 percent — up from 10.6 percent a year ago.

Last week, the labor department said Georgia’s unemployment rate, which is seasonally adjusted, rose to 9.9 percent in June, from a revised 9.8 percent in May.

June marked the 47th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.2 percent.

- Henry Unger, The Biz Beat

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245 comments Add your comment

Justin

July 28th, 2011
8:49 am

@ Billy…..

And just who do you think America will choose for POTUS when Obama is booted out on his ears? I can’t wait to see who goes up against him. It will be very interesting!

Susan

July 28th, 2011
8:51 am

Peter they may want to relocate to another state that has jobs available in their field. There are also a lot of people that worked in that field who are job searching WITH experience. They will be left out in the cold. I do say that Education is the way to go. It is so unfortunate that a lot of people with and without degrees are unemployed.

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
8:52 am

Susan – “Fletch…please stop showing your ignorance! Louisiana and many other states that you have on your list DID NOT overall vote for President Obama! If you want to blame someone you may want to start with your boy President Bush! He was in office for 8 very long years…President Clinton BALANCED the budget and in less than 90 days of Bush, Jr. being in office we were in the red again! President Obama said that it will take him 2 terms to balance the budget. He also said that it will take money to do that. If you were not so racist and ignorant you would have not only looked at the color of his skin and actually listened to what he said! You Moron”

Wow, I’m going to assume that you are being sarcastic since my comments have been neiter pro or con for Bush or Obama. Unless you are referring to the Fletch that namjacked me for a few minutes, you need to re-read my posts and see that I am far from a Partisan hack.

Peter

July 28th, 2011
8:55 am

Here are the stats about Who added to the deficit while in office.

Regan 186 %
Bush Sr 54%
Clinton 41%
Bush Jr 72%
Obama 23%

How do we pay for the Bush Wars ?

Peter

July 28th, 2011
8:58 am

Susan what are you implying, just because someone got a good education, and cannot find a job in their field…….. they shouldn’t take a different job to feed the family or pay the mortgage ?

They have to move to another state according to you ?

I am sure it will be easy to sell the home, and move the family ?

dirksen24

July 28th, 2011
9:02 am

Ahhh, so many racist pigs spouting off and whining about Obama and his unfair policies targeting them. One of the major things I’m glad I don’t have to deal with anymore haivng moved away from what is unequivocally one of the top 5 redneck states in the nation.

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
9:03 am

Peter – “Regan 186 %
Bush Sr 54%
Clinton 41%
Bush Jr 72%
Obama 23%”

What I actually find interesting is the difference between Bush I and II.

Bush I – Military background, successful businessman and politician, former head ofo the CIA, skilled in diplomatic relations with a clear understanding of world politics. Added to the deficit -54%

Bush II – National Gaurd Reserve, every business owned or run tanked, myopic world view, limited understanding of world politics and a “bring it on” attitude. Added to the deficit – 72%

As I said, interesting.

iHOPEthingsCHANGE

July 28th, 2011
9:06 am

After 10 years of Loyalty and high results from a Corporate Fortune 100 Company as an Executive (Making about $180-220k per year) and being laid off: According to people on this blog:
1). I should move from GA even though I have been here all my life (33+ years)
2). I should not take Unemployement Benefits even though WORKERS pay for UEB not companies or Govt….so i dont need any income while in transition even though I have three young kids ages 4,2, and 1.

Some of you people are dellisional. We are in unprecendented times no generation still alive has gone through this. Thank god I saved dilligently otherwise I would be apart of the rapid rate of Suicide that is going on it this country.

Peter

July 28th, 2011
9:08 am

Fletch, you vote in a C student in Bush Jr, and you get the C student job !

Yes Bush Jr, has put to ruin about everything he has ventured into…..but hey the Lemmings love him !

dueshman

July 28th, 2011
9:10 am

Look at this republican state. Going down the drain. I am happy for you.

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
9:13 am

Peter – “Yes Bush Jr, has put to ruin about everything he has ventured into…..but hey the Lemmings love him !”

I know, but that’s what happens when you only vote party. And for the record, before I get accused of being a partisan sheep, here’s my voting record:

Voted Reagan 2nd term
Voted HW Bush
Voted Clinton 2nd term
Voted GW Bush 1st term
Sat out Bush/Kerry
Sat out McCain Obama

I won’t get into my state voting record, suffice to say that it’s consistent with my POTUS record.

Still waiting for an election where I don’t have to choose between the “lesser of 2 evils”

H

July 28th, 2011
9:16 am

We need to stop helping other country’s and start helping ourselves…You want a balanced budget in DC…start by cutting all the money we send out of the country for no reason. We need to help Americans..here….and…when you are shopping-if you can-when you see something that said Made in the USA, but that one. We need to get our own country back to work and stop helping others.

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
9:17 am

iHOPEthingsCHANGE – “2). I should not take Unemployement Benefits even though WORKERS pay for UEB not companies or Govt….”

have to correct you on that one. Unemployment benefits actually are 100% paid for by the EMPLOYER through the FUTA and SUTA taxes. In Georgia the SUTA rate runs from .025% on the low end to a maximum of 5.4% on the first $8,500.00 paid to the employee. Once the state has exhuasted its UI fund (which Georgia did a while back) it borriws form the Federal Gv. to meet it’s obligations. Currently in Georgia we borrow 1.5 million a day to pay out new and existing UI benefits. The UI fund has never been paid into by the employees.

Michael Patrick

July 28th, 2011
9:18 am

Statistics lie and people who lie can use statistics.

REAL

July 28th, 2011
9:19 am

The Red/blue State thing does not fly:

CALI/MICH: Huge unemployment: Blue.

Texas: Low unemployment: Red

The problem with this country is this attitude of RED/Blue – my way or the highway (Both parties Guilty)

C from Marietta

July 28th, 2011
9:20 am

Reading this blog it is clear to me. The policiticans Washington Dc have sucessfully implemented their plan. They have divided the country in half. Until we vote these self serving creeps out it will only get worse. Wake up Republicans and Democrats are one and the same. They just want to control you in different ways. VOTE LIBERTERIAN!

JerseyGirl

July 28th, 2011
9:22 am

Real john: I live in NJ and Chris Christie is a bully who will probably mess the state up like Christine Todd Whitman. New Jersey is in the shape that it is in because of the Republicans.

Peter

July 28th, 2011
9:23 am

Fletch sitting out on voting is not a good idea…….

I do agree with the lesser of two evils.

Imagine Palin as VP, she might quit on a bad day ! Once McCain / Palin got in office and saw the Bush mess up close, McCain might have had a heart attack, and we would have her as President… so the lesser of two evil really did happen !

Is Obama great.heck no, I am pissed we are still at war, so really are things changing..again heck no !

Peter

July 28th, 2011
9:25 am

Hey Michael Patrick

Funny stuff…… “Statistics lie and people who lie can use statistics.”

Do you have a bank account ? Do you consider a bank statement a statistic ?

count_schemula

July 28th, 2011
9:28 am

And even if you have a job, that sucks too. Everyone is “making do with less.” That means doing (poorly) the jobs of 3-4 people. Stagnant wages, no career advancement, skill regression, exhaustion. I quit my job last month. People ask, “oh my, did you get another job?” Um, no, being unemployed was preferable to that hot mess. I’m happier. I’ve leaned more “skillz” this month then I did in the last 3 years. I know he’s a liberal commie with a questionable religion, but read this Friedman article. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/13/opinion/13friedman.html – Sit in a cubicle at your own risk.

N

July 28th, 2011
9:29 am

hate to get into politics but…Can’t believe people are pointing to Reagan got 18 increases in the debt limit. The rating agencies have already said they will downgrade the U.S if cuts are not made.

Do the consequences of this not matter?? Have you paid attention to Greece??

Steve

July 28th, 2011
9:31 am

So how are those tax cuts helping us? Ya know, the ones that we started borrowing 50 billion on as soon as they were instated by Dubya?

And how is the this completely far right wing state providing jobs for Georgians? Republicans control the state and have for years.

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
9:37 am

Peter – “Once McCain / Palin got in office and saw the Bush mess up close, McCain might have had a heart attack,”

You should read “Too Big to Fail” it goes into great detail regarding the pause in the elections when both Obama and McCain went back to Washington for briefing on the economic crisis. Upon arrival, McCain wanted to swoop in with a plan that would save the nation, thus appearing like the true hero. What he didn’t realize was that Paulson, Bernanke and Geithner had already crafted a deal with support from both the GOP and the DEMs to stabalize the markets (Pre-TARP). When McCain found out that his services were not required, he threw a fit and persuaded the Republicans to withdraw support and walk out. After verbally beating McCain down and making him realize that what he was doing would destroy the country, Paulsen then had to go back to the DEMs and literally got down on his knees in front of Pelosi and begged her to bring the DEMs back to the table.

I’m not saying Obama has made all the right moves, but a McCain/Palin Whitehouse would have been utter disaster.

Ed

July 28th, 2011
9:39 am

Well….. I wonder what Republicans will say about this article. The state of Georgia has been under complete Republican rule since the year 2000 and the economy is now officially the absolute worst it’s been in my life time. I am a 52 year old native Georgian. Seems to me I remember that business and jobs were a huge talking point by the last two Republican Governors who have had a totally dominated Republican Legislature with which to work. Oh I forgot it’s Obama’s fault.

count_schemula

July 28th, 2011
9:40 am

Two wars off the books and tax cuts was a brilliant idea! I got my freedom and my 65″ TV! But seriously, I have not read “Getting to Yes” in quote some time, but, basically, in a negotiation, it’s probably a good negotiation if both sides feel like they gave up something. Something to think about this week when painting everything in broad black and white ideologue strokes.

Elliot Garcia

July 28th, 2011
9:44 am

I sure hope there is a change soon!

The Real Fletch

July 28th, 2011
9:48 am

Fake Fletch – I have been “Fletch” on AJC ramblings for 4-5 years and hadn’t seen you before a few months ago. And you are hardly one to accuse me of being partisan with your Saint Obama stance.

Georgia is 46th in Education

July 28th, 2011
9:50 am

It is no wonder that this state is ruled by the GOP who prey on the ignorant and lazy. Basically, the GOP represents a bunch of rich guys who promise jobs if they can keep their tax cuts. Uh…it’s been 3 years since the recession began. Where are the jobs? I think it is time for these tax breaks to end.

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
9:50 am

Elliott Garcia – “I sure hope there is a change soon!”

So do I. The leaders in Georgia really do need to step up with a solid plan to get people back to work. Otherewise I’m afraid that the state will continue to lag behind most of the nation with a continued unemployement rate that is higher than the national average.

Peter

July 28th, 2011
9:51 am

Hey Fletch … I am not happy we are messing around in Libya….But if McCain was in office, we would be head over heals into a 3rd WAR.

I am totally confused as to why folks think any of this helps American’s….but we know it is about policing the world for Corporate America.

Thus really the controllers of all America is the corporation, and what they say happens.

How has the Iraq War helped American’s in any way ?

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
9:52 am

The Real Fletch – “And you are hardly one to accuse me of being partisan with your Saint Obama stance.”

Fletch – “And for the record, before I get accused of being a partisan sheep, here’s my voting record:

Voted Reagan 2nd term
Voted HW Bush
Voted Clinton 2nd term
Voted GW Bush 1st term
Sat out Bush/Kerry
Sat out McCain Obama

I won’t get into my state voting record, suffice to say that it’s consistent with my POTUS record.”

Where in this post, as well as my previous ones, do you see me worshipping at the alter of Obama?

Still waiting for an election where I don’t have to choose between the “lesser of 2 evils”

Peter

July 28th, 2011
9:53 am

Hey Ed……Sonny cut deals for himself on a continues basis…..how did his wealth double while in office ?

Now we have a Governor who lied to the State to get on the ballot……must be those “Republican Family Values” !

Proud Republican

July 28th, 2011
9:54 am

How come Fartbama make no job. He was sposed to make jobs. I can’t get job cuz Fartbama is a Kenyan mulsin. Goverment needs to give me job way to go fartbama.

"it's a wrap"

July 28th, 2011
9:54 am

Born, raised and lived my entire life in GA. Eight years of Sonny, now we have to Deal with it. North Dakota is looking beautiful.

Kerry from Buford

July 28th, 2011
9:56 am

Please explain more to me OH great Republican minds of Free Market and Government. 5.5 Trillion of this debt came from your boy BUSH and his two WARS and another 6.4 from borrowing from Social Security and other government funds that had a surplus at the time. Obama is not great but at least I can see the whole picture and not just what I want to see like the rest of you two party idiots. Face it Free Market controls nothing but who is the greediest. Because corporate America would never but profits and money ahead of doing the right thing, they can be trusted so why regulate them. Prime examples of the great Free Market, Big Oil(they never screw us and only want the best for us) I need one of you to explain Supply and Demand, Peanuts sold from a GA company when they knew they were bad, Eggs from WI sold when the company knew they were bad, Medical mesh put in women the company knew did not work and never tested, and my favorite Drug companies who only have your health in mind. I will not even start on the companies that cheated tax payers out of Billions with the bail outs that both Bush and Obama gave them. So tell me again about the Great Free Market and how we should just trust them and not Regulate them. Please tell me you are not that stupid.

This is for the Gwinnettian, last time I checked the wheels started coming off this ride long before Obama got in office and way before 2008. Of course I bet you still believe that Iraq had WMD and was going to use them on us. Last 3 recessions, who was in office every time a Republican, so please tell me again how great your policies are and how well they work.

Peter

July 28th, 2011
10:00 am

Looks like the Republican’s in Congress can’t get on the same page…… and they refuse to raise taxes on the richest who “Profited fro WAR”….. Wow how can that be ?

Wait should we cut taxes more ?

"it's a wrap"

July 28th, 2011
10:00 am

Another thing, any DAM FOOL on here who thinks his/her rapidly declining standard of living is solely Obama fault…….well is an ignorant DAM FOOL.

Elliot Garcia

July 28th, 2011
10:05 am

Everybody, let’s face the facts. Obama has no idea how to create jobs. Big corporations are evil, right? Just who does he think is going to hire people?

Elliot Garcia

July 28th, 2011
10:05 am

Give Deal some time and he will create jobs….

Mr. Outsourcer

July 28th, 2011
10:06 am

The company I work for is outsourcing to India so fast it will make your head swim. It’s just a matter of time before I join the unemployed roles. That NAFTA thing is really working for me as is the “hopey changey”.

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
10:09 am

Elliott Garcia – “Just who does he think is going to hire people?”

Small independent business owners like myself and my partners. We just added 40 new gaurds in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, hired 4 new wranglers (2 in Scobey and 2 in Round Up, MT) as well as 2 new pilots and a mechanic for our expansion from PDK up to McCullom Field. All the hiring that we did over the last 3 months was driven by demand. Obama never entered into the conversation.

Kerry from Buford

July 28th, 2011
10:09 am

Elliot, that is funny as your boy Bush watched over one of the biggest declines of jobs in US history in his 8 years. Where are all the jobs Deal promised with his Corporate and Rich tax cutts? What a dumb question they are overseas or they have been put in the bank as savings becasue they sure have not created any jobs.

shaggy

July 28th, 2011
10:11 am

I just have to get this up in this blog, for the left/right crowd…both are losers.

If you REALLY, REALLY want change:
VOTE LIBERTARIAN!
BOTH ruling parties are hopelessly corrupt. One wants in my pocket, one wants in my bedroom, and neither secure the borders or insure our liberty, while engaging in worthless foreign ventures. (read Iraq, Libya…Afghanistan should have been won in 2002)

It has become the only way out folks. I know you will mostly vote for “your guy”, because you are mostly morons, and that is sad.

dessa

July 28th, 2011
10:11 am

the main problem that no one dares address-overpopulation.i know a family wife has never worked,husband on unemployment,actually afraid he might find a job!guess what-they just had a another baby.
too many people,diminishing resources it isn’t going to get better.replace yourself and stop.and only if you can afford to raise them

ADD

July 28th, 2011
10:16 am

Metro Atlanta…The new ‘Rust Belt”

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
10:18 am

ADD – “Metro Atlanta…The new ‘Rust Belt”

I hope not. I had a meeting a few years back at Goodyear Corporate. To get to the new offices we had to drive through the old plant. It’s totally depressing.

Me Be Workin' (Not)

July 28th, 2011
10:18 am

SO, on the heals of yesterday’s new report of “unemployed need not apply”, there are at least 4,600 more Atlanta (ex-)workers who will never work again. Gotta love free trade!

CrowDog

July 28th, 2011
10:19 am

The Obama Depression, Change you can believe in!!! Fake , Fool, fraud.

Fred

July 28th, 2011
10:25 am

Gotta love comments by the clueless……….

Fletch

July 28th, 2011
10:27 am

Yo, Real Fletch, you still haven’t answered my question.

“Fletch – “And for the record, before I get accused of being a partisan sheep, here’s my voting record:

Voted Reagan 2nd term
Voted HW Bush
Voted Clinton 2nd term
Voted GW Bush 1st term
Sat out Bush/Kerry
Sat out McCain/Obama

I won’t get into my state voting record, suffice to say that it’s consistent with my POTUS record.”

Where in this post, as well as my previous ones, do you see me worshipping at the alter of Obama?