The state of Alabama’s July unemployment rate held at a record low 2.6% for the month of July, according to Gov. Kay Ivey’s office.
July’s unemployment rate sits nearly a full percentage point lower than that of July 2021, which was 3.4%. Also reaching a new record low is the amount of unemployed individuals, which is presently 59,419.
In a statement lauding the newly released statistics, Ivey noted that her administration would continue to partake in efforts to further enhance the Yellowhammer State’s economic standing.
“Alabama’s historically low unemployment rate keeps holding strong, all while we continue breaking other new records,” advised Ivey. “Today, I consider one of the best numbers to be that we, once again, have more people working than ever before. We will not relent on our efforts. We will continue working hard to support businesses as they seek more employees, while also connecting folks in our workforce with existing resources to ensure they are highly skilled and well-equipped.”
Also recording a new high is Alabama’s civilian labor force participation, which increased to 2,291,962. The figure represents a yearly increase of 47,818. The number of people counted as employed has also reached a new record high of 2,232,543.
The construction, education and health services, and manufacturing sectors led July’s wage and salary employment gains.
Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) secretary Fitzgerald Washington provided a breakdown of the record-breaking figures.
“Alabama’s record-low unemployment rate is continuing to hold steady, and we are continuing to see other record-breaking employment statistics, month after month,” stated Washington. “People are working in Alabama in record numbers, and employers are adding jobs in nearly all major industry sectors, gaining more than 34,000 jobs since last year Wages are increasing in Alabama as well. We’re seeing the second highest weekly wage rate in history, an increase of nearly $28 per week.”
The governor’s office advised that the trade, transportation and utilities sector and the professional and business services sector reached new record high weekly wage levels, at $820.00 and $1,332.54, respectively.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are as follows:
- Shelby County: 2.1%
- Marshall County: 2.4%
- Cullman County: 2.4%
- St. Clair County: 2.5%
- Limestone County: 2.5%
- Clay County: 2.5%
- Blount County: 2.5%
Counties with the highest unemployment rates are as follows:
- Wilcox County: 11.3%
- Perry County: 8.3%
- Lowndes County: 8.1%
Statewide unemployment breakdown by county:
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article’s headline has been updated to reflect that Alabama has set a record high civilian labor force.
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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