According to the February jobs report from the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL), Alabama has reached a new record low unemployment rate.

February’s 3.7 percent unemployment rate was a notch lower than last month’s rate, 3.8 percent, and improved upon last year’s February rate of 4 percent.

“Our unemployment rate, which is clocking in at a new record low of 3.7%, is proof that Alabama is open for business,” said ADOL Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “We’ve shattered employment records for nine months in a row now.  People are continuing to join the labor force, with the expectation that they will get a job – and they’re getting jobs.”

Similar to last month’s report, ADOL’s claims rely on the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate, which removes seasonal changes from the equation, but the actual unemployment rate is sitting at 4 percent, down from January’s 4.4 percent.

“More than 27,000 Alabamians are working now than a year ago, and they’re bringing home more money in their paychecks, which is great news for our economy,” Washington said, noting that average weekly earnings rose to $839.59, a $33.54 increase over last year.

Wage and salary employment increase by 34,700 over last year, with significant gains in the leisure and hospitality sector, which added more than 7,100 jobs, the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which added more than 6,300 jobs, and the professional and business services sector, which added more than 5,100 jobs.

The unemployment rate for Dallas County improved by four-tenths of a percent over January’s rate to come in at 7.3 percent, still keeping the county among those with the highest unemployment rates in the state.

Despite that, the county has a larger work force and a larger number of people employed than at the same time last year.

Selma is at the top of the list for cities with the highest unemployment rates at 8.5 percent, down from January’s 8.8 percent.

In February of 2018, Selma’s unemployment rate was 7.4 percent, which represents a significant increase in unemployment over the last year.