Alabama unemployment rate still at 3.1%, Selma sees increase

A new report from the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) shows that the overall unemployment rate for the month of December 2021 is still at 3.1%, unchanged from November. 

“For five months now, our unemployment rate has held steady at 3.1%,” said ADOL Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “We all know of the challenges facing today’s workforce, most of which are still pandemic related, and we’re grateful that Alabama is weathering these challenges. Since last year, more than 36,000 people are no longer counted as unemployed, and we saw more than 7,000 additional people shift to the employed column since last month.”

The rate observed in December represents 69,854 unemployed persons, compared to 68,710 in November. 

During this time Selma saw an increase, rising from 7.2% to 8.1%. The city is considered among the highest in unemployment, with Prichard at 6.9%, and Anniston at 5.1%.

Counties with the highest unemployment rates were Wilcox County at 10.3%, Lowndes County at 8.4%, and Perry County at 7.2%.

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Dallas County, however, did see a slight decrease, going from 6.8% to 6.7%. ADOL notes that 65 of the 67 counties in Alabama either had a decrease in unemployment or remained the same in December. 

All 67 counties saw a decrease over the course of the year of 2021. 

Wage and salary employment increased 48,400 over the year, ADOL reports. Gains were made in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector (+11,700), the leisure and hospitality sector (+11,000), and the manufacturing sector (+8,800).

The private weekly wages were $973.41 in December, which represents a $26.65 yearly increase while manufacturing weekly wages were $1,258.17, an $85.17 yearly increase.

A "new record high" weekly wage was recorded at $1,245.05 in the Professional & Business Services sector, with the Leisure & Hospitality sector also seeing a new record at $412.25, an increase of $57.94 over the year.