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Covington County’s unemployment rate increased in June, according to preliminary, non-seasonally adjusted figures compiled by the Alabama Department of Labor.

The county’s unemployment rate for June was 3.3 percent, up from 2.7 percent in May. It also reflects an increase from June 2023 when the county’s rate stood at 3.1 percent.

The numbers represent a civilian workforce within the county of over 14,943 with 14,450 employed workers.

Unemployment rates for neighboring counties are: Butler, 3.6 percent, up from May’s 2.8; Coffee County, 3.1 percent, up from 2.6 percent; Conecuh County, 4.4 percent, up from 3.2; Crenshaw County, 3.1 percent, up from 2.5; Escambia County, 3.6 percent, up from 2.8; and Geneva County, 2.9 percent, up from 2.4 in May.

Statewide, unemployment decreased slightly from May to June, coming in at 2.9 percent, down from the revised 3 percent in the previous month. The June rate is higher from a year ago, when it was 2.3 percent.  The rate represents 67,784 unemployed persons, compared to 70,668 in May and 53,412 in June 2023.

Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said Alabama’s labor force participation rate for June held steady at 57.5 percent, but increased four-tenths of a percentage point from June 2023. The percentage of prime-age workers increased by 1.4 percentage points to 79.2 percent over the year. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.

“The number of prime age workers increased by more than one percentage point since last year,” said Washington. “Combined with the growth in the civilian labor force, the growth in employment, and the growth in jobs, these numbers are all excellent indicators of Alabama’s economic picture.”

The number of people counted as employed increased by 20,417 over the year to a new record high of 2,270,227. The civilian labor force also increased to a new record high to 2,338,011, with 34,789 more people joining over the year.

Over the year, wage and salary employment increased by 47,500 to 2,218,400, also a new record high, with gains in the private education and health services sector (+11,900), the government sector (+8,900), and the manufacturing sector (+7,700), among others.

“We are continuing to see Alabama’s employers adding jobs at a record pace,” continued Washington. “Our economy is supporting more jobs than ever before. Additionally, our average weekly wages have increased to their second highest level ever.”

Total private sector average weekly wages increased in June to $1,043.70, representing a yearly increase of $41.47. The highest average weekly wages were $1,044.12, recorded in December 2023.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are:  Shelby and Morgan counties at 2.3 percent, Marhsall and Cullman counties at 2.4 percent, and Madison, Limestone, and Elmore counties at 2.5 percent.

Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 8.5 percent, Perry County at 6.8, and Dallas County at 6 percent.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Trussville and Vestavia Hills at 2 percent, Alabaster, Hoover, Homewood, and Madison at 2.2, and Athens and Decatur at 2.4. 

Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 7.1 percent, Prichard at 5.4, and Bessemer at 4 percent.