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Covington County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in June saw an increase from the previous month, but remains below the rate from the prior year.

The county’s June unemployment rate of 3.2 percent is well above the state average and is an increase of almost a full percent from May’s 2.3 percent. The rate in June 2021 was 3.7 percent.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate is 2.6 percent, down from May’s rate of 2.7, and below June 2021’s rate of 3.5. This rate marks a new series low for the third consecutive month. June’s rate represents 60,338 unemployed persons, a new record low, compared to 61,585 in May and 79,439 in June 2021, according to the Alabama Department of Labor.

“The good news continues to roll in as we reach another unemployment milestone of 2.6 percent,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “For the third consecutive month, Alabama has set a record-low unemployment rate. Alabama is working like never before, and the future continues to look brighter for our state and her people.”

The number of people counted as employed rose to 2,228,231 in June, a new record high.  This is up 5,306 from May and 59,902 from June 2021.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased 41,200, with gains in the trade, transportation and utilities sector (+7,200), the construction sector (+7,000) and the manufacturing sector (+6,700), among others. The total count of wage and salary employment is 2,085,200, the fourth highest on record.

Unemployment rates in neighboring counties are: Butler County, 4.5 percent, up from 3.5 in May; Coffee County, 3.2 percent, up from 2.2 percent; Conecuh County, 4.5 percent, up from 3.3 in May; Crenshaw County, 3.4 percent, up from 2.3; Escambia County, 3.8, up from 2.7; and Geneva County is 3.1 percent, up from 2.2 in May.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.3 percent, Marshall and Cullman counties at 2.6 percent, and Morgan, Madison, Limestone, and Elmore counties at 2.7 percent.

Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 10.1 percent, Perry County at 8.3 percent, and Lowndes County at 7.5 percent.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Trussville at 2 percent, Vestavia Hills at 2.1 percent, and Alabaster and Madison at 2.2 percent.

Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 8.7 percent, Prichard at 7.3 percent and Bessemer at 5.2 percent.