County unemployment falls half-percent
Published 4:10 pm Sunday, September 23, 2012
Marengo County’s unemployment rate fell .4 percent from July to August, according to numbers released Friday.
Marengo’s jobless rate now stands at 11.4 percent, down from 11.8 percent a month ago. August’s numbers reflect 881 county residents out of work.
Statewide, unemployment increased to 8.5 percent, up from July’s rate of 8.3 percent. That’s down from last year’s rate of 9.1 percent for the same month.
There were some good signs though — fewer unemployment compensation claims were filed.
“Sixty-three of 67 counties saw their unemployment rates drop or remain the same this month,” said Tom Surtees, Alabama Department of Industrial Relations director.
Counties with the lowest unemployment were Shelby at 5.8 percent, Coffee at 7.1 percent, Blount at 7.2 percent, Limestone at 7.2 percent and Madison at 7.2 percent.
Counties with the highest unemployment were Wilcox at 19.2 percent, Bullock at 17.1 percent and Dallas at 16.6 percent.