Updated: January 01, 2018

UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE SHOALS STAYED BELOW 4 PERCENT FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH IN NOVEMBER HOWEVER WAS UP SLIGHTLY FROM THE MONTH BEFORE. ACCORDING TO THE TIMES DAILY, THE COMBINED RATE FOR LAUDERDALE AND COLBERT COUNTIES WAS 3-POINT-8 PERCENT, UP FROM THE OCTOBER RATE OF 3-POINT-7 PERCENT. AREA LEADERS ATTRIBUTE THE SLIGHT INCREASE TO THE CHANGE IN SEASON WITH AROUND 2,400 PEOPLE LOOKING FOR WORK. THE AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE IN THE REGION WAS $18.39 AND WAS MET WITH THE STATEWIDE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 3-POINT-5 PERCENT. ALABAMA'S RATE AS A WHOLE DROPPED FROM THE OCTOBER RATE OF 3-POINT-6 PERCENT.