Img 3315 Scaled E1758738022930 — Alabama Department of Labor in Montgomery (The Bama Buzz)

For the sixth consecutive month, the Alabama Department of Labor has reported a decrease in unemployment across the state.

For August, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.9, the lowest mark since June 2024. Here are some of the numbers from this month’s report:

AL seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate: 2.9
AL total unemployment: 68,191
AL labor force participation rate: 57.7
US seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate: 4.3
US labor force participation rate: 62.3

Despite the positive unemployment numbers reported, the state’s labor force participation rate continues to fall and remains well below the national average.

Unemployment by county

52 of Alabama’s 67 counties have an unemployment rate of 3.4% or lower. Some of the leaders on the front include:

2.1%: Blount, Elmore, Shelby
2.2%: Autauga, DeKalb, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, St. Clair
2.3%: Baldwin, Cleburne

According to the Alabama Department of Labor, every metro area has seen a sizable drop in its unemployment over the last year. Here’s a look at some of those areas with numbers from August 2024 compared to the most recent report: