North Alabama counties post state’s lowest unemployment rates

MONTGOMERY – While Alabama’s unemployment rates is 3.3%, 12 North Alabama counties are lower than the state.

Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties are tied for the second-lowest jobless rate in the state at 2.3%; Shelby County has the lowest at 2.2%. Other region counties’ rates are: Blount, DeKalb, Lawrence, and Marshall counties, 2.4%; Cullman and Franklin counties, 2.5%; Lauderdale County, 2.9%; and Colbert and Jackson counties, 3.2%.

Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed said today that Alabama’s labor force participation rate for May held steady at 58%. The rate increased by six-tenths of a percentage point from May 2024. The percentage of prime-age workers decreased by a tenth of a percentage point to 78.7 % over the month. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.

“I continue to be pleased with the increases in our labor force participation rate.  The last time Alabama saw a rate of 58.0% was more than 12 years ago in 2013,” said Reed. “That shows that Alabama’s workforce continues to adapt and grow, even in periods following a major recession and a worldwide pandemic. Our citizens are joining the workforce AND working in record numbers, especially our prime-age workers. Alabamians will continue to do their part.”

Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate is 3.3%, unchanged from April 2025’s rate and above May 2024’s rate of 2.9%. The rate represents 78,246 unemployed persons, compared to 78,756 in April and 67,878 in May 2024.

Among the region’s larger cities, Madison has the lowest unemployment rate at 2%; followed by Athens, 2.3%; Decatur and Huntsville, 2.5%; and Florence, 3%.

“Our employers are encouraged by our economic progress and are continuing to create and fill jobs at an unprecedented pace,” said Reed. “The economic news this month continues to be positive and is keeping our momentum going.”