Alabama Unemployment Rate Heads Down

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama’s unemployment rate has dropped to 6.1 percent.

Gov. Robert Bentley says that’s a five-year low. The last time Alabama has a rate at or below 6.1 percent was October 2008, when the rate was 5.9 percent. The state Labor Department says December’s rate of 6.1 percent compares to 6.2 percent in November and 6.8 percent a year ago. Alabama’s rate is below the national average of 6.7 percent.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby at 3.8 percent, Lee at 4.7 percent and St. Clair and Cullman at 4.8 percent.

The counties with the highest rates are Wilcox at 14.2 percent, Bullock at 11.6 percent and Perry at 11.4 percent.