St. Mary jobless rate down slightly

St. Mary's unemployment rate dropped slightly again in November and remains under 4%, according to figures from the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

The parish jobless rate in November was 3.8%, down from 3.9% in October and down from 5.0% in November 2021.

Overall employment was up 48 from October but was down by 293 from November 2021.

The commission said 705 St. Mary people were unemployed in November, down from 822 in October and 958 the same month in 2021.

In Assumption, the unemployment rate for November was 3.9%, down from 4.1% in October. The parish saw employment grow by 32 month over month to 8,477.

St. Martin unemployment was 2.8% in November, down from 3.0% in October. Employment grew by 177 month over month.

Louisiana's unemployment rate for November was 2.9%, a record low for the state. That's down from 3.1% in October and 4.0% in November 2021.

November was the 21st consecutive month of declines in the state unemployment rate.

The number of employed people, also not seasonally adjusted, grew by 16,645 from October to November to 2,025,926.

"We've done it again. November's not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate came in at 2.9%, the lowest in the state's history," said Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates. "Major industries statewide are maintaining a steady increase in job creation and opportunities for Louisianians."

Major industries that showed the largest gains for seasonally adjusted jobs over the month:-Construction gained 3,400 jobs from October 2022.

—Education and Health Services gained 1,300 jobs from October 2022.

—Financial Activities gained 600 jobs from October 2022.

Major industries that showed the largest gains for seasonally adjusted jobs over the year:

—Education and Health Services gained 14,800 jobs from November 2021.

—Leisure and Hospitality gained 13,700 jobs from November 2021.

—Professional and Business Services gained 10,700 jobs from November 2021.

Among Louisiana's MSAs in November 2022, seasonally adjusted data shows:

—Alexandria (63,000 jobs) added 200 jobs from October 2022 and gained 1,300 jobs from November 2021.

—Baton Rouge (401,500 jobs) added 500 jobs from October 2022 and gained 4,000 jobs from November 2021.

—Hammond (46,900 jobs) added 200 jobs from October 2022 and gained 1,100 jobs from November 2021.

—Houma (81,300 jobs) added 100 jobs from October 2022 and gained 2,700 jobs from November 2021.

—Lafayette (203,400 jobs) showed no change from October 2022, but gained 5,200 jobs from November 2021.

—Lake Charles (101,800 jobs) added 800 jobs from October 2022 and gained 1,900 jobs from November 2021.

—Monroe (76,200 jobs) added 300 jobs from October 2022 and gained 700 jobs from November 2021.

—New Orleans (564,100 jobs) lost 1,000 jobs from October 2022, but gained 21,900 jobs from November 2021.

—Shreveport(175,700 jobs) lost 700 jobs from October 2022, but gained 2,000 jobs from November 2021.
at building sector employed 1,068 here at the end of 2021, down from 1,130 at the end of 2020.