Georgia added 29,800 net new nonfarm jobs for an increase of
0.7% in the first half of 2016 and rising by 2.8% over the year, but much of
that growth was concentrated in five metro areas – Atlanta, Savannah,
Brunswick, Augusta, and Gainesville, Ga.
The Savannah area continues its hot streak on jobs, adding
3,900 since December for a total of 7,100 over the past 12 months, an increase
of 4.1%.
Savannah’s continued job growth is propelling it towards
competition with the Augusta area as the state’s second largest metro area. In
June 2012, the Augusta area had 58,700 more jobs than the Savannah area. By
June 2016, this difference had shrunk by 12%.
Brunswick posted the largest percentage increase for the
first half of 2016, rising by 3.1%, or 1,4,00 jobs, for annual increase of
3.3%.
Meanwhile, the state’s largest metro area, Atlanta, is
showing some slowdown. While the area added 15,100 jobs since December, this is
slower than the numbers it posted for the first half of 2014 (30,700) and the
first half of 2015 (15,400).
For the first half of 2016, the Atlanta area posted a job growth
rate of 0.6%, the same rate as for the first half of 2015. Over the past 12
months, the Atlanta area added 69,400 jobs for a growth rate of 2.7%, slightly
below the state’s overall rate.
Home to 60% of all nonfarm jobs in the state, any slowdown in
the Atlanta area is bound to affect statewide numbers.
Hinesville and
Columbus areas lagging in jobs
While Georgia continues to experience faster job growth than
the nation, not all metro areas in the state are participating in this boom to
the same extent. Areas of the state not feeling the effects of the enlarging
economy include Hinesville and Columbus.
The Hinesville area recorded a loss of 300 jobs for the
first six months of 2016 and has shown no net increase in new jobs since June
2015. The area’s job market continues to stagnate with no net increase in jobs
over the past eight years.
The Columbus metro area lost 400 jobs since December partially
offsetting a gain of 900 jobs from July through December for a net addition of
only 500 jobs since last June. The Columbus area has seen very slow job growth
since the recession, rising by only 4,600 net new jobs since June 2010, a net
growth rate averaging less than 0.7% per year over the six year period.
Athens lost 100 jobs in the first six months of 2016,
although a strong second half of 2015 propelled it to one of the strongest job
gains among metro areas in the state for the 12 months ending in June, adding a
net of 3,600 jobs for an increase of 4% since June 2015.
The Macon and Valdosta areas showed no net change in jobs
since December but both areas showed good growth in the second half of 2015,
resulting in 12-month job gains of 2.1% and 2.2% respectively.
