The Yellowhammer State has reached a new record low unemployment rate, dropping to 2.8% for the first time in its 202-year history.
According to the updated statistics released by the governor’s office Friday, April’s unemployment rate is down from March’s rate of 2.9%.
In a statement touting the historic unemployment numbers, Gov. Kay Ivey projected optimism over the state’s economic outlook and declared that Alabama’s successes were “just getting started.”
“I am thrilled that after 202 years of trying, Alabama has once again reached a new record low unemployment rate, and this forward momentum is only continuing,” declared Ivey. “The people of Alabama want to work, plain and simple, and that combined with our efforts helped us reach the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history, yet again. We have more people working today than at any other point in our state’s history. We are shattering record after record, and we’re just getting started!”
April’s rate shows that there are 63,208 unemployed individuals, which is also a new record low. Additionally, a new record high of 2,213,189 individuals were counted as employed.
The governor added, “Alabama is leading the nation, no doubt about it. We will continue working hard to ensure our people are working. Folks, the best is yet to come.”
April’s total private weekly wages increased to a new record high of $990.46. The leisure and hospitality sector’s weekly wages also set a new record high, increasing from $382.92 in April 2021 to $411.31 this month.
Leading the monthly wage and salary employment gains was the leisure and hospitality sector, followed by the manufacturing and government sectors.
Alabama Department of Labor secretary Fitzgerald Washington celebrated the jobs report and indicated that the numbers show positive movement ahead of the state’s peak tourism months.
“I can’t tell you the last time I’ve seen a jobs report with this many positives,” said Washington. “This is great news for Alabama’s economy and especially for our coastal region as we move into the prime tourist season. On top of the other records, we’ve also increased wages to a new record high, with average weekly wages gaining over $21 dollars over-the-year. Additionally, the leisure and hospitality sector set yet another record for weekly wages, with a yearly increase of more than $28.”
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are as follows:
- Shelby County: 1.4%
- Marshall County: 1.5%
- Morgan County: 1.6%
- Madison County: 1.6%
- Limestone County: 1.6%
- Elmore County: 1.6%
- Cullman County: 1.6%
- Blount County: 1.6%
Counties with the highest unemployment rates are as follows:
- Wilcox County: 7.7%
- Lowndes County: 5.5%
- Perry County: 5.4%
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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