By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

Alabama’s unemployment rate is at the lowest point it has been in the past six years.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley announced Friday that the state’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November 2014 was 6.0 percent, which is down from October’s rate of 6.3 percent.

“Alabama’s unemployment rate has not only continued its downward trend, but has reached a level we have not seen in more than six years,” Bentley said. “This is a testament to the economic progress we have made in Alabama, and our efforts will continue until every Alabamian who wants a job has the opportunity to acquire one.”

Dallas County’s unemployment rate fell from 11.2 percent in October to 10.7 percent for November. Last year, Dallas County had an 11.4 percent unemployment rate for November.

Despite the decrease, Dallas County remains in the top three counties in Alabama for highest unemployment rates. Wilcox and Bullock counties have the highest rates in the state at 12.2 and 11.8 percent, respectively.

The counties with the lowest unemployment rates are Shelby at 3.8 percent, Lee and Cherokee at 4.2 percent, and Cullman at 4.3 percent.

According to a release from the Alabama Department of Labor, all counties in the state saw either no change in their unemployment rate or a decrease in their unemployment rate for November.

The release states that 84 percent of the 67 counties in Alabama have a lower rate than one year ago.

The state’s job growth rate is also the highest it has been in the previous eight years.

“The job growth we are experiencing in Alabama is encouraging,” said Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington.