Jobless claims at state, national average
Franklin County’s unemployment rate rose from nine percent in March to 9.1 percent in April.
The increase represents a difference of 31 more people who filed jobless claims that month. The number increased from 1,176 in March to 1,207 in April.
April’s numbers do not reflect those who lost jobs or who were forced to file for unemployment following the tornado outbreak on April 27.
The county’s rate remains below the state average and is just slightly higher than the national average of nine percent.
The county’s jobless claims total is well below the 10.2 percent reported at the same time in 2010.
Other counties in northwest Alabama reported the following rates: Lauderdale at 8.1 percent, Colbert at 8.5 percent, Lawrence at 10.2 percent, Marion at 11.3 percent and Winston at 13.7 percent.
“It appears that Alabama followed the national trend this month, as we experienced a slight increase in our unemployment rate. As I’ve noted before, these kinds of minor fluctuations are to be expected as we emerge from a recession,” Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees said.
“With that said, Alabama continues to see positives in our unemployment data, such as the fact that the amount of payments we’re making is well below the levels of previous years, as are the number of weeks claimed and weeks compensated.”
The amount of benefits payments made in April was $28,080,263, compared to $38,785,15 in April 2010, $55,151,078 in April 2009, and $23,917,886 in April 2008.
The number of weeks claimed statewide in April was 155,407, compared to 206,689 in April 2010 and 286,922 in April 2009. The number of weeks compensated was 138,274 in April, compared to 188,376 in April 2010 and 269,714 in April 2009.
Counties with the lowest unemployment rates were Shelby County at 6.5 percent, Coffee County at 7. percent and Pike County at 7.2 percent. Counties with the highest unemployment rates were Wilcox County at 20.9 percent, Perry County at 16.2 percent and Clarke County at 16.1 percent.
