The state of Alabama’s preliminary, seasonal adjusted July unemployment rate went down to 4.5 percent according to data recently released by the governor’s office.

The rate is 0.1 percent less than the June rate and 1.3 percent less than the rate from July 2016.

July’s rate continues the recent trend that has seen Alabama’s unemployment numbers decrease.

“This month, there are fewer people unemployed than there have been in nearly 10 years,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “This is most welcome news, but even as our unemployment rate continues to decline, we must maintain our work to bring quality, high-paying, high-demand jobs to the state of Alabama. This is a goal I’m committed to, and I intend to continue doing just that.”

Chilton County’s unemployment rate is slightly lower than the state average at 4.4 percent for the month of July.

As a result, Chilton County is one of a dozen counties that came in below the state average. There are 67 counties in Alabama.

“In addition to this being the lowest unemployment rate Alabama has seen since January 2008, we also continue to see yearly growth in many of Alabama’s industries, including manufacturing and construction,” Secretary of Labor Fitzgerald Washington said. “Upticks in manufacturing and construction jobs are indicative of positive economic growth.”

856 people are currently listed as unemployed according to the preliminary unemployment rate. Chilton County’s civilian labor force includes 19,411 people.

The national unemployment rate for July was 4.3 percent.