The Yellowhammer State’s unemployment rate of 3.1% remained unchanged from December to January, according to the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL).
The state’s unemployment rate is nearly a full percentage point below the January 2021 rate of 4.0%. January’s statistics show that there are 69,141 unemployed individuals, which is more than 21,000 less than that of the same time last year. Additionally, Alabama saw 33,000 jobs created in 2021.
ADOL Secretary Fitzgerald Washington spoke to Alabama’s ability to maintain “positive employment trends” given the issues that presently face the national economy.
“Alabama’s healthy economic environment is carrying on, with our unemployment rate holding steady yet again for a fourth consecutive month,” stated Washington. “While holding steady may not seem like a positive thing to some, given the uncertainties that currently exist in our national economy, I’m proud to say that, so far, Alabama is maintaining positive employment trends.”
“Additionally, our job growth has continued, with more than 33,000 jobs created since January of last year,” Washington added. “Wages have shown yearly growth as well, with total private weekly earnings up $30.60. Other industries, such as leisure and hospitality and education and health services, have also seen remarkable yearly growth.”
The trade, transportation, and utilities sector led yearly job gains, followed by the leisure and hospitality sector and construction sector.
ADOL advised that all 67 counties experienced an unemployment rate drop over the calendar year.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are as follows:
- Shelby County 2.2%
- Marshall County 2.5%
- Limestone County 2.5%
- Cullman County 2.5%
- Morgan County 2.6%
- Elmore County 2.6%
- Blount County 2.6%
Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are as follows:
- Homewood 2.0%
- Alabaster 2.1%
- Athens 2.3%
- Madison 2.3%
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
