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The Covington County seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for February saw a slight decrease from the previous month, according to data released by the Alabama Department of Labor.

The county’s unemployment rate for February was reported at 2.7 percent, a decrease from January’s rate of 2.8 percent. It is also down from the February 2022 rate of 2.8 percent.

Covington County’s rate was above the state’s unemployment rate, which came in at an all-time low of 2.5 percent.

February unemployment rates for surrounding counties are: Coffee, 2.5 percent; Conecuh, 3.3 percent; Crenshaw, 2.5 percent; Escambia, 3.1 percent; and Geneva, 2.2 percent.

The 2.5 percent statewide rate in February marks the second consecutive month the state has hit a new low. In January, the statewide unemployment rate was 2.6 percent.

“Once again, we’ve hit a record low unemployment rate,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “While it may seem like we break these records month after month, we know that even with record low unemployment, we still have a duty to provide good, quality jobs to every Alabamian who wants one. I’m proud of our economic successes and reaffirm my commitment to continue to work to make this state the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

February’s rate represents 56,221 unemployed persons, a new record low, compared to 58,392 in January 2023 and 58,943 in February of 2022.

Wage and salary employment, totaling 2,133,500 in February, increased 15,900 over the month. Monthly gains were seen in the professional and business services sector (+3,800), the government sector (+3,500), the leisure and hospitality sector (+3,400), the private education and health services sector (+3,200), the manufacturing sector (+1,100), the construction sector (+700) and the information sector (+300), among others.

Wage and salary employment increased 43,900 over the year, with annual gains seen in the private education and health services sector (+8,600), the manufacturing sector (+8,200), the government sector (+7,600), the professional and business services sector (+7,300), the leisure and hospitality sector (+4,900), the other services sector (+3,600), the construction sector (+3,400), the information sector (+900) and the financial activities sector (+800), with the other services sector setting an all-time record high jobs count.

“Job growth of nearly 44,000 over the year is definitely something to be proud of,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “We know that employers still have jobs that need to be filled, and we’re working to match those employers with those jobseekers. Our Career Center System has so many tools to help everyone succeed – I would definitely recommend visiting your local center if you need any assistance.”

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 1.7 percent, Morgan and Madison counties at 1.9 percent, and St. Clair, Marshall, Limestone, Elmore, Cullman and Blount counties all came in at 2 percent.

Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 8 percent, Greene at 5.5 percent and Dallas at 5.1 percent.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood and Madison at 1.5 percent, Trussville and Vestavia Hills at 1.6 percent, and Alabaster, Hoover and Northport at 1.7 percent. 

Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Selma at 6.5 percent, Prichard at 4.3 percent and Bessemer at 3.8 percent.