Alabama Unemployment Rate Dec 2009 Update

Alabama Department of Industrial Relations announced today that Alabama’s unemployment rate for December 2009 rose to 11.%.

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This is rather a dire  increase   from November’s rate of 10.5%. December’s rate represents 225,596 unemployed persons. Wage and salary employment declined by 9,300 with losses occurring within the following sectors: expert and

company providers, leisure and hospitality, construction, educational and wellness providers, government, monetary activities, and manufacturing. Gains occurred within the following ectors: trade, transportation and utilities, other providers, organic resources and mining, and info.

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“Although we became a little hopeful due to last month’s unemployment decrease, I think we all realize the reality from the economic situation in this country,” said Surtees. “We are continuing to see Alabamians suffer from the recession and remain committed to serving them. During 2009, we distributed advantages exceeding $1.2 billion and will continue to assist the unemployed with all from the state and federal resources at our disposal."

The counties using the lowest unemployment rates have been: Shelby at 7.6%, Madison at 7.7%, and Coffee at 8.1%. Counties using the highest rates have been: Wilcox at 24.5%, Monroe at 20.2%, and Dallas at 20.1%.

For 2009, Alabama’s preliminary average unemployment rate was 9.8%. Wage and salary employment declined by 65,100. Annual losses occurred in manufacturing, construction, trade, transportation, and utilities, expert and company providers, monetary activities, leisure and hospitality, info, other providers, and organic resources and mining. The only annual gains have been recorded in education and wellness providers and government.