Richland jobless rate rises slightly

Unemployment for Richland Parish rose half a point during May according to the latest figures from the Louisiana Works Commission.

The parish jobless rate fell rose from 5.6 percent in April to 6.1 percent in May. It is also up from 5.9 percent a year ago.

This reflects 508 people looking for work in May, up from 468 in April and 496 a year ago.

Currently 7,856 people are working in Richland Parish, up from 7,836 in April, but fewer than the 7,890 who were employed in the parish a year ago.

LaSalle Parish had the lowest employment in the state with 4.3 percent while East Carroll Parish had the state’s highest rate with 9.4 percent.Data released by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) shows that not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 19,200 from May 2017. This is the eighth consecutive over-the-year increase. From April 2018, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 5,900 jobs to 2,000,500. This is the highest employment level since December 2015.

In May 2018, data show that not seasonally adjusted private-sector employment increased by 22,000 jobs from May 2017. This is also the eighth consecutive month that the not seasonally adjusted private-sector has added jobs over the year. 

From April 2018, not seasonally adjusted private-sector employment added 6,200 jobs to 1,671,900.

From May 2017, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 31,372 to 2,030,577. Over that same time period, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 7,330 to 100,337.

From May 2017, the not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 24,042 individuals to 2,130,914. The civilian labor force is composed of the number of individuals who are employed in addition to those looking for work. From April 2018, the not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force decreased by 8,911. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by 0.4 percentage points from last year to 4.7 percent. The not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has seen over-the year declines for 20 straight months. From April 2018, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased 0.4 percentage points. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increases in the summer months due to layoffs in a variety of positions who are recalled at the end of summer. Also, when compared to previous years’ data, the increase in the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is in line with historical trends.

“Louisiana has continued to make positive progress when compared to a year ago,” said Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie. “We will continue to work closely with employers and monitor the needs of the workforce to better match prospective job-seekers with family-sustaining careers that will provide long-term benefits to themselves, their families and the state of Louisiana.”

All nine metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) declined over the year. Not seasonally adjusted May unemployment rates for the nine MSAs are as follows:

• Alexandria: 5.1 percent, up from 4.6 percent in April, but down from 5.8 percent from May 2017.

• Baton Rouge: 4.2 percent, up from 3.8 percent in April, but down from 4.4 percent from May 2017.

• Hammond: 5.0 percent, up from 4.7 percent in April, but down from 5.7 percent from May 2017.

• Houma: 4.8 percent, up from 4.4 percent in April, but down from 5.5 percent from May 2017.

• Lafayette: 4.9 percent, up from 4.5 percent in April, but down from 5.7 percent from May 2017.

• Lake Charles: 3.7 percent, up from 3.3 percent in April, but down from 3.9 percent from May 2017.

• Monroe: 5.0 percent, up from 4.6 percent in April, but down from 5.3 percent from May 2017.

• New Orleans: 4.4 percent, up from 4.0 percent in April, but down from 4.7 percent from May 2017.

• Shreveport: 5.2 percent, up from 4.6 percent April, but down from 5.6 percent from May 2017.

Richland Today

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Rayville, LA 71269
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