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By J.R. TIDWELL / Editor

The state of Alabama continues to set records when it comes to the unemployment rate.

According to data released by the Alabama Department of Labor Oct. 18, the statewide unemployment rate for the month of September was 3.0%, down from August’s record-setting 3.1%.

Chilton County posted an unemployment rate of just 2.3% in September, which was down from 2.5% in August and an entire percent down from the 3.3% mark in September of 2018.

“Here we are again, Alabama! Once again, we’re breaking economic records: new low unemployment rate, more people working than ever before, fewer unemployed people than ever before, and the largest labor force we’ve ever seen,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “While we continue to be proud and amazed at these wonderful numbers, we cannot become complacent and forget our commitment to Alabama – to make sure that everyone who wants a job can have one. We’re working hard to make that a reality, and we will keep pushing for even more economic opportunities for hardworking Alabamians.”

Chilton County posted a civilian labor force of 20,134 with 19,675 of those people employed, leaving just 459 unemployed.

“The job growth that Alabama is experiencing in 2019 is outstanding,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “Since January, our economy has grown 55,900 jobs — more than double what economists predicted our job growth for the year would be — and we still have three months to account for! We’re outpacing the nation in over-the-year job growth as well, reaching our largest job growth percentage of the year at 2.3%.”

According to a press release from the state Department of Labor, all counties and major cities experienced rate drops both over-the-month and over-the-year. Wilcox County, which generally has the highest unemployment rate in Alabama, reached a record low of 6.2% in September.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 1.9%, Morgan, Marshall, Madison and Limestone Counties at 2.1% and Tuscaloosa, Lee, Elmore, Cullman, Crenshaw and Baldwin Counties at 2.2%.