Alabama is No. 1.

Or rather, in this case, the Birmingham-Hoover, Decatur and Huntsville metro areas are.

That’s in reference to unemployment rates for March among the nation’s metro areas, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Labor.

For metro areas with a population of 1 million or more, Birmingham–Hoover was ranked the lowest in the nation at 1.8%.

Decatur and Huntsville were ranked as the lowest in the country at 1.6% (tied with Rapid City, S.D.)

“Alabamians have been finding jobs in record numbers for many months now,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “Therefore, it is not surprising that we are home to the lowest unemployment rates among major metropolitan areas in the nation.  Alabama workers are not only trail blazers in aerospace, automotive and agriculture industries – among others – but we are eager to enhance our quality of life.

“For some time, we’ve been saying ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ is open for business and the job numbers continue to bear that out.”

The rankings are compiled by the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“These rankings are just more proof of how well Alabama’s economy has recovered since the pandemic and demonstrates the dedication in our communities to offer our families good jobs,” said Alabama Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “To think that three Alabama metros beat out all the other metros in the nation is something to be really proud of, and I certainly hope that we continue this streak of achievements.”

Ivey recently announced that Alabama’s state unemployment rate in March was a record low 2.3%.