Gov. Kay Ivey gave recognition today to all 12 Alabama metropolitan areas for having among the lowest unemployment rates in the nation.
“Alabama continues to reach historic lows, and we aren’t slowing down. With a workforce second to none coupled with carefully crafted economic incentives and nationally low tax rates, our economic momentum continues to strengthen,” said Ivey.
“I am proud of Metro Alabama for its energetic growth, and we certainly give all thanks to our hardworking men and women, as well as our terrific Alabama businesses.”
Alabama Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington also spoke about the state of the economy and the recent rankings.
“I’m beyond pleased that Alabama continues to set these national records,” Washington said. “Our metro areas are great places to live and work, and this is proven by these rankings. Alabama continues to prove to the country that we are competitive, and our economy is doing remarkably well.”
Some of the major takeaways from the April rankings are:
- For the second month in a row, the Birmingham–Hoover metro area was ranked the lowest in the nation at 1.6% for metro areas with a population of 1 million or more.
- Decatur and Huntsville, were tied for the fourth lowest in the country at 1.4% (with Burlington-South Burlington, Vt.), among all metropolitan areas.
- Auburn-Opelika, Birmingham-Hoover, and Daphne-Fairhope-Foley were tied for seventh place at 1.6% among all U.S. metros.
- Tuscaloosa was tied for 12th with a 1.7% rate.
- Dothan tied for 15th at 1.8%
- Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, Florence-Muscle Shoals, Gadsden, and Montgomery tied for 24th at 1.9%
- Mobile tied for 44th at 2.1%
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
