Georgia Adds Nearly 10,000 Jobs in December 2024

News Summary

Georgia’s job market finished strong in December 2024, adding almost 10,000 new jobs, bringing the total to an all-time high of nearly 5 million. Despite a slight decrease in jobs compared to the previous year, the state’s economy remains resilient with a steady unemployment rate of 3.7%. Job gains were significant in leisure, hospitality, and health services sectors. However, there were challenges in manufacturing and transportation sectors. Looking ahead, optimism remains for 2025 as Georgia’s economy continues to attract investors and job seekers.

Georgia Rings Out 2024 with Nearly 10,000 New Jobs in December

The Peach State is celebrating some exciting news as Georgia added almost 10,000 jobs in December 2024! This surge means the total job count in the state has reached a whopping 4,994,900—an all-time high. Talk about ending the year on a high note!

Now, let’s take a quick peek back at the entire year. Georgia managed to add about 60,000 jobs over the course of 2024, which is a bit less than the impressive 68,700 jobs added in 2023. Even with this modest decrease, the state still shines bright when it comes to job growth.

Steady as She Goes with Unemployment Rate

In December, Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.7%, which remains below the national average of 4.1%. This figure doesn’t include folks who aren’t actively searching for work, which means the real jobless rate could be even lower. It’s also worth noting that the jobless rate was revised down to 3.2% in December of the previous year, showcasing growth in the past twelve months.

However, during the same month, initial unemployment claims did see an uptick, climbing to 31,046. This is an increase from November and is up by 6,244 compared to December 2023. Additionally, the labor force in Georgia slipped down to 5,408,929— marking the first decrease in over three years. So while the jobs are out there, it seems some folks have stepped back a bit from the workforce.

Which Sectors are Booming?

Let’s dig a little deeper into the sectors making waves in Georgia’s job market! December saw significant job gains in leisure and hospitality as well as private education and health services, both reaching all-time highs. In total for 2024, the biggest job additions came from:

• Health Care and Social Assistance: +32,800
• Accommodation and Food Services: +15,300

On the flip side, not all sectors experienced growth. The manufacturing sector faced some challenges, losing about 5,100 jobs, while transportation and warehousing dropped by 1,400 jobs. Even within manufacturing, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing encountered some declines.

A Positive Outlook Amid Economic Challenges

Despite the current inflation hiccups, the labor market in Georgia shows a remarkable resilience. The total number of employed individuals reached 5,210,437 in December, with the number of unemployed individuals slightly rising to 198,492. That’s 108 more than November, but still, this shows a vibrant workforce ready for new opportunities.

The ongoing strength of Georgia’s economy and workforce has truly been a key signature in the state’s job growth story, solidifying the region as a formidable player in the job market landscape. Investors and job seekers alike have plenty of reasons to stay optimistic about what 2025 might bring for Georgia!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Morning Ag Clips: Georgia Ports Support More Than 600,000 Jobs
• AJC: Georgia’s Job Figures for December
• WSBTV: Counties with Highest Unemployment in Georgia
• Valdosta Today: Georgia Jobs Soar Toward 5M
• Global Atlanta: Swedish Business Ties Support Nearly 12,000 Georgia Jobs
• Wikipedia: Unemployment in the United States
• Google Search: Georgia Economy
• Google Scholar: Georgia Job Growth
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Georgia (U.S. State)
• Google News: Georgia Jobs