Jobless rate in December hits 4%

Saturday, January 19, 2008

From staff reports

Huntsville Times

Unemployment in county rises, still 2nd-lowest in state

Alabama had its highest unemployment rate for 2007 in December, and while Madison County's jobless rate also increased, it still ranked as the second-lowest in the state, according to state figures.

Madison County's unemployment rate rose to 2.8 percent, up from 2.5 percent in November and 2.6 percent in December 2006.

The statewide unemployment rate rose to 4 percent in December, up from 3.5 percent in November, but still well below the December national jobless rate of 5 percent.

For the week ending Jan. 12, initial claims for unemployment benefits rose in Madison County compared with the same week last year, to 479 from 396. Statewide, claims dropped slightly, to 11,110 from 11,688.

For the year, there was a net gain of 25,400 jobs in Alabama, while the majority of job losses, 1,800, were in manufacturing.

The Alabama Department of Industrial Relations said September 2005 was the last time Alabama saw its unemployment at 4 percent or higher. The previous high for 2007 was August's 3.8 percent.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 46 states and the District of Columbia saw unemployment rate increases in December.

Shelby County's jobless rate of 2.6 percent was the state's lowest, while Wilcox County had the worst unemployment rate at 9.6 percent.

Among Alabama's 11 metropolitan areas, the Huntsville metro area, which includes Limestone County, had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9 percent. The Decatur metro area, which also includes Lawrence County, had a 3.5 percent unemployment rate for December.

The Alabama unemployment rate tied the state for the 14th lowest in the U.S. for December, tied with Iowa and Vermont. The only Southern state with a lower unemployment rate than Alabama was Virginia, at 3.5 percent.

Idaho and South Dakota, at 3 percent, tied for the lowest unemployment rate in the nation for December.



Jobless rate in December hits 4% Saturday, January 19, 2008 From staff reports Huntsville Times Unemployment in county rises, still 2nd-lowest in state Alabama had its highest unemployment rate for 2007 in December, and while Madison County's jobless rate also increased, it still ranked as the second-lowest in the state, according to state figures. Madison County's unemployment rate rose to 2.8 percent, up from 2.5 percent in November and 2.6 percent in December 2006. The statewide unemployment rate rose to 4 percent in December, up from 3.5 percent in November, but still well below the December national jobless rate of 5 percent. For the week ending Jan. 12, initial claims for unemployment benefits rose in Madison County compared with the same week last year, to 479 from 396. Statewide, claims dropped slightly, to 11,110 from 11,688. For the year, there was a net gain of 25,400 jobs in Alabama, while the majority of job losses, 1,800, were in manufacturing. The Alabama Department of Industrial Relations said September 2005 was the last time Alabama saw its unemployment at 4 percent or higher. The previous high for 2007 was August's 3.8 percent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 46 states and the District of Columbia saw unemployment rate increases in December. Shelby County's jobless rate of 2.6 percent was the state's lowest, while Wilcox County had the worst unemployment rate at 9.6 percent. Among Alabama's 11 metropolitan areas, the Huntsville metro area, which includes Limestone County, had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.9 percent. The Decatur metro area, which also includes Lawrence County, had a 3.5 percent unemployment rate for December. The Alabama unemployment rate tied the state for the 14th lowest in the U.S. for December, tied with Iowa and Vermont. The only Southern state with a lower unemployment rate than Alabama was Virginia, at 3.5 percent. Idaho and South Dakota, at 3 percent, tied for the lowest unemployment rate in the nation for December. © 2008 The Huntsville Times © 2008 al.com All Rights Reserved.