On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey's office revealed Alabama's October seasonally adjusted labor force numbers, which showed the state's unemployment rate at 2.7%, up from September's number of 2.6%.
The October number is an improvement from a year ago at 3.1%.
Alabama outpaced the national seasonally adjusted rate by a whole percentage point, which also ticked up from September, from 3.5% to 3.7%
The state continues to face workforce participation woes, with the seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate holding at 57.2%, the same as September but still far below the U.S. average of 62.2%.
Total private weekly wages increased in October to $1,017.98, a new record high, according to the release from Ivey's office.
Broken down geographically, Alabama continued with normal highs and lows around the state.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates were Shelby County at 1.8%, Cullman County at 1.9% and Marshall County at 2.0%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates were Wilcox County at 9.6%, Lowndes County at 6.6% and Perry County at 6.5%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates were Homewood at 1.6%, Vestavia Hills and Trussville at 1.7% and Alabaster and Madison at 1.8%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates were Selma at 7.2%, Prichard at 6.5%, and Anniston, Gadsden and Bessemer at 4.4%.
Jeff Poor is the executive editor of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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