Unemployment numbers for the month of March is at an "all-time" low with 2.9%, said an announcement from Gov. Kay Ivey.
The number is down from 3.0% in February and 3.7% in March 2017. It also ties with the rate recorded in September 2019.
“Alabama has been on a roll as our folks have been eager to get to work, and the fact that we have once again hit our record low unemployment rate is proof positive of that,” said Ivey.
“We are not relenting our efforts, and I am confident Alabama will continue powering in the right direction because of our hardworking men and women. Truly, the best is yet to come.”
The March number represents 65,485 unemployed persons compared to 68,663 in February and 82,443 in March 2021.
Last month saw an increase in civilian labor force by 9,901 to 2,270,463. Over the year the number of people counted as employed rose from 36,734 to 2,204,978, Ivey's announcement reports.
Wage and salary employment over the year increased 40,100. Gains were seen in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector with over 11,900, the leisure and hospitality sector with over 10,500 and the construction sector with over 4,500.
In March the wage and salary employment increased by 3,800. There were monthly gains in the government sector with over 2,500, the construction sector with over 2,200 and the leisure and hospitality sector with over 2,200.
“At no point in Alabama’s history have we recorded fewer people as unemployed,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “Alabamians are working, businesses are hiring, and we are getting back to normal with every passing month.”
Perry County is among those with the highest unemployment rate at 6.3% along with Wilcox County at 8.8% and Lowndes County at 6.5%. Selma remains among cities with the highest unemployment at 6.9%.
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