Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By J.R. TIDWELL / Editor

The state of Alabama hit four milestones when it comes to employment in the month of May.

According to the Alabama Department of Labor, the number of people in the labor force, the number employed and the number of jobs available were at their highest levels ever, while the unemployment rate was the lowest it has ever been statewide.

“Since day one, my administration has sought the best ways to make our state business-friendly for small businesses and attractive to world-class industry. It is certainly paying off, because in May each of Alabama’s 67 counties saw their unemployment rates drop,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “Alabama is breaking record after record! I am proud of the footing we are making; however, we will not tire our efforts. It remains our goal to ensure every Alabamian who wants a job can get a job.”

Chilton County had an unemployment rate of 2.5% in May, down from 3.0% in April and 3.4% during the same month last year.

The county’s labor force was listed at 19,940, with just 500 people labeled as unemployed, down from 592 a month ago.

“What great news we have to share this month,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “We’ve been consistently posting positive economic news, and this month is more of the same. More people are working, employers are hiring, and we’ve once again dropped to a record low unemployment rate. The job market is great in Alabama!”

Alabama’s unemployment rate for May was 3.7%, down from 3.8% in April and from the 4.1% mark of a year ago.

“Once again, Alabama’s job growth has surpassed the nations,” Washington said. “Our economy is supporting more jobs than ever before, and Alabama’s employers are continuing to hire. It’s our hashtag, but it’s true: We Have Jobs!”

Northern neighbor Shelby County continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.1%, while Wilcox County has the highest at 6.6%

All 67 counties experienced both over-the-month and over-the-year unemployment rate decreases, according to the labor department.