MONTGOMERY – It’s old news but still good news.
As it has for the past several months, the state’s economic engine is right here in the Tennessee Valley.
The latest unemployment figures continue to be strong in the region with five North Alabama counties ranking among the state’s seven counties with the lowest jobless rates.
The counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 1.6%, Morgan and Cullman counties at 1.7% and Limestone, Madison, Marshall and St. Clair counties at 1.8%. In the Tennessee Valley, the other rates are Colbert County, 2.4%; DeKalb County, 2.0%; Jackson County, 2.1%; Lauderdale County, 2.2%; and Lawrence County, 1.9%.
Among the state’s major cities, Madison had the second lowest rate at 1.5% for last month, an increase from 1.2% in April. In the region, Athens is 1.7% for May, up from 1.4% in April; Decatur is 1.8%, up from 1.5%; Florence is 2.1%, up from 1.9%; and Huntsville is 2.0%, up from 1.6%.
Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate is 2.2%, Gov. Kay Ivey announced today. The rate is unchanged from April and remains a record low, and below May 2022’s rate of 2.5%.
May’s rate represents 51,445 unemployed persons, a new record low, compared to 51,448 in April and 57,866 in May 2022.
“I’m proud to announce that not only has our state’s unemployment rate remained strong and steady but is accompanied by a total jobs count that has once again reached a record high. Despite facing a challenging national economy, Alabama has pressed onward to deliver strong and stable economic results,” Ivey said. “With a highly skilled workforce, economic incentives curated for success and red tape being cut where necessary, Alabama remains as the Southeast’s hub for economic growth and opportunity for all.”
The number of people in our civilian labor force also increased to a new record high, with 7,713 more people counted this year over last year.
Additionally, the number of people who are counted as employed rose to a new record high, gaining 14,134 over the year to 2,247,581.
“Since last year, our employers have added more than 40,000 jobs, creating an excellent economic climate for Alabama,” said Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “We are holding steady with a record low unemployment rate, more and more people are working, and people are joining the labor force in record numbers, which indicates confidence in the economy.”
The counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 6.8%, Dallas County at 4.5% and Clarke County at 4.3%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 1.4%, Alabaster, Homewood, Madison, and Trussville at 1.5% and Hoover at 1.6%.
Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 5.5%, Prichard at 4.3% and Bessemer at 3.3%.
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