By Staff
Staff Reports
Madison County Record
Unemployment in Madison County rose by 1.1 percent to 5.2 percent during the month of July – the highest gain in more than a year.
The unemployment rate represents 7,760 unemployed persons in July compared to 6,110 the previous month and 6,700 in July 2001.
Unemployment in Alabama increased to 5.7 percent in July compared to 5.4 percent in June. Last year, the state recorded a 5.3 percent unemployment rate in July 2001.
"Seasonal declines in local education contributed greatly to the jobless rate rising between June and July," said Alice McKinney, director of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.
The comparable U.S. unemployment rate for July was unchanged from June at 5.9 percent.
Unemployment in neighboring Limestone County dropped by .1 percent to 5.2 percent or 1,550 unemployed persons. Lauderdale County, which experienced an 11.0 percent unemployment rate in June, dropped to 10.2 percent in July.
Neighboring Morgan County reported a 7.0 percent unemployment rate and Jackson County reported a 7.8 percent unemployment rate.
Alabama's July unemployment rate represents 122,400 unemployed persons.
During the past year, the majority of job losses occurred in manufacturing (-10,100), trade (-4,400), transportation and public utilities (-3,200) and construction (-1,300). Service (+200) was the only major sector that grew over the year.
The five counties in Alabama with the lowest unemployment rate in July were Shelby at 2.5 percent; Cherokee at 3.6 percent; Autauga at 3.6 percent; DeKalb at 3.7 percent and Tuscaloosa at 3.8 percent.
The five counties in Alabama with the highest unemployment rate in July were Washington at 17 percent; Dallas at 14 percent; Perry at 13.3 percent; Wilcox at 13.2 percent and Lowndes at 12.9 percent.