Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Marty Redden announced on Friday that Alabama’s labor force participation rate for September held steady at 57.5%.
The percentage of prime-age workers decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 79.3% over the month. Over the year, this number increased 1.3% from 78%. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.
“Month after month, we are continuing to see yearly growth in the number of prime-age workers who are participating in the labor force,” Redden said. “Nearly 80% of these people are working or looking for work. They are a vital part of building Alabama’s workforce. We’re also seeing major growth in the total number of people joining the workforce and finding employment.”
Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 2.9%, up from August 2024’s revised rate of 2.8%. September’s rate is above September 2023’s rate of 2.7%. The rate represents 67,405 unemployed persons, compared to 66,621 in August and 61,658 in September 2023.
The number of people counted as employed increased by 18,391 over the year to 2,278,613, a new record high. The civilian labor force also increased to a new record high of 2,346,018, with 24,138 more people joining over the year.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.3%; Madison, Marshall, and Morgan Counties at 2.5%; and Cherokee, Cleburne, Cullman, Limestone, and St. Clair Counties at 2.6%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 8.2%, Clarke and Greene Counties at 6.1%, and Dallas and Perry Counties at 5.8%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills at 2.2%; Alabaster and Hoover at 2.3%; and Madison and Northport at 2.4%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 6.1%, Prichard at 5.8%, and Bessemer at 4.6%.
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