MONTGOMERY — Alabama has reached a record low unemployment rate, dropping to 2.8% for the first time in its 202-year history.
According to the updated statistics released Friday by the governor’s office, April’s unemployment rate is down from March’s rate of 2.9%.
In a statement touting the historic unemployment numbers, Gov. Kay Ivey was optimistic about the state’s economic outlook and said Alabama’s successes were “just getting started.”
“I am thrilled that after 202 years of trying, Alabama has once again reached a new record low unemployment rate, and this forward momentum is only continuing,” she said. “The people of Alabama want to work, plain and simple, and that combined with our efforts helped us reach the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history, yet again.
“We have more people working today than at any other point in our state’s history. We are shattering record after record, and we’re just getting started.”
April’s report showed 63,208 unemployed people, which is also a record low. Additionally, a record high 2,213,189 people are employed.
“Alabama is leading the nation, no doubt about it,” Ivey said. “We will continue working hard to ensure our people are working. Folks, the best is yet to come.”
April’s total private weekly wages increased to a record high of $990.46, the report said. The leisure and hospitality sector’s weekly wages also set a record, climbing from an average of $382.92 per week in April 2021 to $411.31 last month.
The leisure and hospitality industry led the monthly wage and salary gains, followed by the manufacturing and government sectors, according to the report.
Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said the jobs report shows positive movement ahead of the state’s peak tourism months.
“I can’t tell you the last time I’ve seen a jobs report with this many positives,” said Washington. “This is great news for Alabama’s economy and especially for our coastal region as we move into the prime tourist season.
“On top of the other records, we’ve also increased wages to a new record high, with average weekly wages gaining over $21 dollars over-the-year. Additionally, the leisure and hospitality sector set yet another record for weekly wages, with a yearly increase of more than $28.”
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates:
- Shelby County: 1.4%
- Marshall County: 1.5%
- Morgan County: 1.6%
- Madison County: 1.6%
- Limestone County: 1.6%
- Elmore County: 1.6%
- Cullman County: 1.6%
- Blount County: 1.6%
Counties with the highest unemployment rates:
- Wilcox County: 7.7%
- Lowndes County: 5.5%
- Perry County: 5.4%
(Courtesy of Yellowhammer News)
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