Marengo County’s unemployment rate remains unchanged from November to December at 7.1 percent. This is down from 8.7 percent in December 2012.

Governor Robert Bentley announced Friday, Jan. 24 that Alabama’s unemployment rate for December is 6.1 percent.

“Alabama’s Unemployment rate is 6.1 percent, marking a five-year low,” Bentley said. “There are 59,400 more jobs today in Alabama than there were in January of 2011, with the greatest job growth coming from the manufacturing sector. There are over 40,000 new, future jobs coming to Alabama.”

Bentley added that several new, well-paying jobs are coming across the state in the near future.

“We’re announcing new, well-paying jobs in six locations across the state this month alone,” he said. “The University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research just last week released its economic forecast which predicts greater growth and an estimated 25,000 jobs to be added in 2014. This is all great news for Alabamians who need a well-paying job, but I won’t be satisfied until every person who wants a job can get a job in this state.”

The last time Alabama’s unemployment rate was at or below 6.1 percent was in October 2008 when the rate was 5.9 percent.

“While we are certainly pleased to announce that our unemployment rate is at a five year low, we know that we are not in a perfect situation, employment wise,” said Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees. “There are still more than 120,000 Alabamians who want a job, and we must focus our efforts on helping those people find work.”

Marengo County’s 7.1 percent represents 523 county residents out of work.

The counties with the highest unemployment in December were Wilcox at 14.2 percent, Bullock at 11.6 percent and Perry at 11.4 percent.

The counties with the lowest unemployment in December were Shelby at 3.8 percent, Lee at 4.7 percent, and St. Clair and Cullman at 4.8 percent.