The Ivey administration revealed Alabama's August unemployment rate remained at 2.6%, down from 3.3% a year ago, with an unemployment count of 58,958, down from 59,359 in July and 74,505 a year ago.
Alabama continues to struggle to make strides in improving the state's labor participation rate, which fell slightly to 57.6%, which is considerably lower than the national average of 62.4%.
"We continue to add jobs to our economy at a good pace," Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said in a statement. "Right now, there are around two available jobs for every unemployed person. Our construction industry is thriving, and growing construction employment generally tends to predict positive economic growth."
Shelby County led the way with the state's lowest unemployment at 2%, followed by Marshall and Cullman Counties at 2.2%, and Morgan, Limestone, Chilton and Blount Counties at 2.3%. Black Belt counties continued to be areas with the highest unemployment rates, with Wilcox County at 10%, Lowndes County at 7.4% and Perry County at 7.2%.
Among Alabama cities, Vestavia Hills was the state's lowest at 1.6%, followed by other Birmingham suburbs Homewood and Trussville at 1.8% and Alabaster and Hoover at 1.9%. Cities with the highest unemployment rates were Selma at 8.5%, Prichard at 6.5% and Anniston at 4.6%.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
