Jobless rate drops to 2.8%

MONTGOMERY — Franklin County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 2.8% in July, according to preliminary figures released Friday by the Alabama Department of Labor.

The July rate is down from 2.9% in June and 3.3% in July 2024, according to the figures, which are compiled by the state labor department in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The unemployment rate represents 388 unemployed people in the Franklin County Civilian Labor Force in July. That is down from 407 in June and 469 in July 2024.

There were 13,568 employed members of the county’s civilian labor force in July, according to the figures. That is down from 13,623 in June and 13,607 in July 2024.

There were 13,956 members of the county’s civilian labor force in July, according to the figures. That is down from 14,030 in June and 14,076 in July 2024.

Nearby, the July unemployment rates were 3.3% in Lauderdale County and 3.2% in Colbert County.

Statewide, July’s unemployment rate was 3% when seasonally adjusted and 2.9% when not seasonally adjusted. Nationally, the rate was 4.2% when seasonally adjusted and 4.6% when not seasonally adjusted.

Seasonal adjustment removes “influences of predictable seasonal patterns,” according to the labor bureau. Weather, harvests, holidays and school schedules are among influences it mentions.

Counties and metropolitan areas are not seasonally adjusted.