Alabama’s labor force participation rate for July remained unchanged at 57.5%, according to Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington.
The percentage of prime-age workers increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 79.3% in July. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.
“While we all are working to increase our labor force participation rate, the continued growth, especially year over year, in the number of prime-age Alabamians who are holding down a job, remains a positive trend in the state’s economy,” Washington said on Friday. “All other economic indicators showed improvement this month as well.”
Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 2.8%, down from June 2024’s rate of 2.9%. However, the rate is higher than July 2023’s rate of 2.4%. The rate represents 66,591 unemployed persons, compared to 67,782 in June and 55,583 in July 2023.
The number of people counted as employed increased by 20,156 over the year to a new record-high count of 2,273,759. The civilian labor force also increased to a new record high of 2,340,350, with 31,164 more people joining over the year.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby and Morgan Counties at 2.5%; Marshall and Cullman Counties at 2.6%; and St. Clair, Madison, Limestone, and Elmore Counties at 2.7%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Wilcox County at 8.8%, Perry County at 7.0%, and Dallas County at 6.2%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Vestavia Hills at 2.2%; Trussville and Hoover at 2.3%; and Alabaster, Homewood, and Madison at 2.4%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 7.4%, Prichard at 5.7%, and Bessemer at 4.4%.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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