Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced on Friday that the state’s labor force participation rate remained unchanged in August at 57%.
The rate is up slightly from August 2022’s rate of 56.9%.
The “prime-age” participation rate, which measures the labor force participation rate for individuals aged 25-54 remains at 77.8% in Alabama.
Washington also said that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate held steady at its record low of 2.1%.
August’s rate is below August 2022’s rate of 2.6%. The August 2023 rate represents 48,605 unemployed persons, a new record low, compared to 48,789 in July and 60,200 in August 2022.
The number of people counted as employed increased by 32,631 over the year to a new record high of 2,259,025. The civilian labor force also reached a new record high of 2,307,630, with 21,036 more people joining the labor force over the year.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby County at 1.8%, Morgan, Marshall, Madison,and Cullman Counties at 2%, and St. Clair, Limestone, Elmore, and Blount Counties at 2.1%. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Wilcox County at 7.3%, Dallas County at 5.5% and Perry County at 5%.
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are Vestavia Hills at 1.6%, Alabaster, Homewood, Madison, and Trussville at 1.7%, and Hoover at 1.8%. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are Selma at 6.5%, Prichard at 4.9% and Bessemer at 4%.
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.
