Unemployment rate decreases again in county

Published 12:30 pm Thursday, April 23, 2015

Recent data shows St. Clair County’s unemployment rate fell again in March, remaining one of the lowest in the state.

The county’s rate fell from 5 percent in February to 4.9 percent in March. That rate is down 1.5 percent from March 2014, which was reported at 6.4 percent.

“St. Clair County has sustained one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, and we could not be happier about that statistic,” said Joe Kelly, chairman of the St. Clair County Economic Development Council. “The recruitment of new industry is important, but most of our employment growth has been seen in the expansion and retention of the industries who had already set their roots in St. Clair County.”

According to a release from the State of Alabama, Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate is 5.7 percent, down from February’s rate of 5.8 percent and well below March 2014’s rate of 7.2 percent. The last time Alabama’s rate was 5.7 percent or lower was in July 2008, just prior to the housing market crash.

“Every county in Alabama currently has a lower unemployment rate than they did a year ago,” Alabama Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington said.  “Wilcox County, despite traditionally having one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, has seen a five percentage point decrease in its rate over the year.  That’s great news!”

Counties with the lowest March 2015 unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 3.9 percent, Lee County at 4.7 percent, and Elmore, St. Clair, and Autauga Counties at 4.9 percent.

“We are excited to see our industries take on more employees, and to see our local people find jobs within our County,” Kelly said. “When our residents work here, shop here and get opportunities to grow professionally here, it is a win for St. Clair County.”