Alabama’s April labor force participation rate increased slightly by one-tenth of a percentage point to 57.5%, according to Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington.
The percentage of prime-age workers increased by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 79.1%, an increase of 1.7% year-over-year. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.
“This continued growth in our prime age labor force participation rate is truly encouraging,” Washington said on Friday. “The over the year growth is showing that our prime age workers are indeed rejoining the labor force and making an impact. Additionally, our total labor force has increased to its highest level, with more than 40,000 people deciding that they want a job since the same time last year.”
Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.1%, up from March 2024’s rate of 3%, and up .8% from April 2023’s rate of 2.3%. The rate represents 72,057 unemployed persons, compared to 70,884 in March and 52,004 in April 2023.
The number of people counted as employed in April increased to a new record high of 2,263,393.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2%, Morgan County at 2.1%, and Cullman, Elmore, Madison, and Marshall Counties at 2.2%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 7.7%, Perry County at 5.3% and Dallas County at 5%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood at 1.8%, Alabaster, Madison, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills at 1.9%, and Hoover at 2.0%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 5.7%, Prichard at 4.9%, and Gadsden and Mobile at 3.7%.
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