Top stories of 2014: The ups and downs of unemployment
Jan. 2014
Unemployment rates for the month of January were recently released and showed Franklin County had a significant increase in unemployment since December 2013.
Franklin County’s unemployment rate rose to 9.4 percent in January, representing a 2.5 percent increase from December’s rate of 6.9 percent.
That total represents 1,194 local residents who are reported to be unemployed, which is an increase from 867 people the previous month. It’s also 77 more people than it was at this same time last year.
Even though Franklin County’s unemployment rate rose significantly in January, statewide, the unemployment rate remained the same as the previous month.
Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that Alabama’s preliminary January unemployment rate is 6.1 percent, which is unchanged from the December 2013 rate, and below the January 2013 rate of 6.7%.
January’s rate represents 130,444 unemployed persons, compared to 129,633 in December 2013, and 144,410 in January 2013.
Dec. 2014
Unemployment rates for the month of October were recently released and showed Franklin County had a decrease in unemployment from September to October.
Franklin County’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.9 percent in October, which was a decrease from September’s rate of 7.2 percent.
That total represents 885 local residents who are reported to be unemployed, which is down from 909 people the previous month. It’s also 58 less people than it was at the same time last year.
Statewide, the unemployment rate was reported to be on the decline as well.
Gov. Robert Bentley announced Friday that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate is 6.3 percent, down from September’s rate of 6.6 percent. October’s rate represents 133,470 unemployed persons, compared to 140,555 in September.
“The October unemployment rate is good news for Alabama,” Bentley said.
“We are seeing healthy growth in the number of jobs our economy is supporting, and that is a testament to our efforts to recruit quality companies that bring good jobs to Alabama. We have not seen this many jobs in more than five years, before the recession hit Alabama, and I am confident this trend will continue.”
