Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced on Friday that Alabama’s labor force participation rate for November increased to 57.1%.
The labor force participation rate was 57% in October. The percentage of prime-age workers increased by three-tenths of a percentage point to 78.4% over the month. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.
“Our labor force participation rate increased this month slightly, but over the year, we saw a bit more growth, with the rate increasing by nearly half of a percentage point. The prime-age worker labor force participation rate also showed modest improvement, increasing by three-tenths of a percentage point over the month. This means that three out of every four prime-age Alabamians are holding down a job, and that number is steadily increasing, month over month,” Washington said. “Additionally, we saw significant growth in the number of jobs our economy is supporting, reaching a new record high and adding nearly 38,000 new jobs over the year.”
Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate is 2.4%, up slightly from October’s rate of 2.3%. November’s rate is well below November 2022’s rate of 2.6%. The rate represents 55,475 unemployed persons, compared to 52,182 in October and 60,169 in November 2022.
The number of people counted as employed increased by 40,100 over the year to a record high of 2,263,270. The civilian labor force also increased to a new record high of 2,318,745, with 35,406 more people joining over the year.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby County at 1.8%, Morgan County at 1.9%, and Marshall and Bullock Counties at 2%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Wilcox County at 8%, Dallas County at 5.4%, and Perry County at 5%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are Vestavia Hills at 1.6%; Homewood, Madison, and Northport at 1.7%; and Alabaster, Hoover, and Trussville at 1.8%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are Selma at 6.7%, Prichard at 4.7%, and Bessemer at 3.9%.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
