December 8, 2025

Alabama Unemployment Rates Drop in Some Areas-Struggle in Others

By Isabella Gomez
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

December 8, 2025

MONTGOMERY, Ala. The Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed announced on Friday that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate is 2.8%, down from August 2025’s rate of 2.9%.

September’s rate is lower than September 2024’s rate of 3.3% but overall, the numbers are strong.

The rate represents 66,711 unemployed persons, compared to 68,156 in August and 76,773 in September 2024.

“Our unemployment numbers continue to be positive, showing significant gains over the year,” said Reed. “We are continuing to see our prime age workers participating in the labor force. Nearly 80% of workers who should be working are working. This is very positive news.”

North Alabama and the Gulf Coast region of the state, new businesses are providing the engine for healthy employment, reducing our unemployment rate but some areas of Alabama are still struggling to bring their unemployment numbers down.

Additionally, Reed announced that Alabama’s labor force participation rate for August held steady at 57.7%. The percentage of prime-age workers increased by a tenth of a percentage point to 78.4% over the month. Prime-age workers are those aged 25-54 years.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.3%; Limestone, Elmore, and Blount Counties at 2.4%; and Autauga, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and St. Clair Counties at 2.5%.

Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Greene County at 5.9%, Perry County at 5.8%, and Wilcox County at 5.7%.

Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Pelham at 2.1%; Vestavia Hills, Trussville, and Homewood at 2.2%; and Madison and Hoover at 2.3%.

Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Prichard at 6.6%, Selma at 4.9%, and Anniston at 4.1%.