Economic Comeback: Jackson Co. Unemployment rate drops to 4.4%

By Dylan Smith, Managing Editor • dylan@southerntorch.com

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — Updated statistics from the Alabama Department of Labor show Jackson County holding a 4.4% unemployment rate for the month of August. The current numbers reflect a monthly decrease from July’s unemployment rate of 6.3%.

The newly released labor statistics indicate a strong local economy prior to the brief COVID-induced recession. The county unemployment rate pre-contraction sat at a record low of 2.7%.

The following graph details unemployment levels throughout the months impacted by the COVID-related economic downturn:

The monthly trend reflects a consistent economic recovery as business and industry continue to operate unencumbered by coronavirus-related government restrictions. 

County-wide civilian labor force rose from July to August – 23,583 to 24,020 respectively. The county’s rate of unemployment is lower than that of the State of Alabama’s overall rate of 5.6%.