MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.8 percent for the third month in a row, according to preliminary, seasonally-adjusted numbers released by the Governor’s office Friday morning. A closer look at the numbers shows some positive movement for the state’s economy.

“Alabama’s April unemployment rate has some positive numbers about the economy,” said Governor Robert Bentley. “The number of people in the labor force is up, the number of people employed is up, wage and salary employment is up, and the number of job orders posted on JobLink is up. Our economic development efforts will continue until every Alabamian who wants a job has the opportunity to find one.”

While the unemployment rate has remained unchanged since hitting a 7-year low in February, the Civilian Labor Force (CLF) increased in April by 12,214, while the number of people counted as employed increased by 10,019.

“The better measure of the employment picture in Alabama is reflected in the wage and salary numbers,” said Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington. “We are continuing to increase the number of jobs our economy supports, getting closer and closer to reaching the two million mark, which is how many jobs the economy supported prior to the recession.”

Alabama counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County (3.6 percent), Lee County (4.4 percent), and Elmore and Autauga Counties (both 4.5 percent).

Check out the unemployment rate for your county in the map below.