LaSalle Parish’s jobless rate for August fell to 2.9%, however, so did many other parishes leaving LaSalle tied for seventh place for the state’s lowest unemployment numbers released last week by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

In July, LaSalle’s unemployment rate was 3.7%, so the 2.9% August data reveals residents continue to become employed and stay employed.

Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August 2023 is 3.4%. This is the lowest rate for the month of August in series history, and is the third lowest rate alltime. The rate shows an increase of 0.1 percentage points from the July 2023 rate of 3.3 percent but a decrease of 0.5 percentage points from August 2022.

In LaSalle, August data revealed it was tied for the seventh lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.9%, tied with Plaquemines, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Tammany, Calcasieu, St. Martin and Jackson. LaSalle and Jackson parishes had the lowest unemployment rate in all of Central and North Louisiana.

The state’s lowest unemployment rate was West Feliciana Parish at 2.2%, followed by Cameron Parish at 2.3%, Livingston and Ascension parishes at 2.6% and Bossier and St. Charles parishes at 2.8%.

During and following the coronavirus pandemic from 2020 to early 2023, LaSalle led the entire state with the lowest unemployment figures.

Neighboring parishes had the following rates recorded for July: Rapides 3.0%; Grant 3.4%; Caldwell 3.5%; Winn 3.7%; and Catahoula 4.3%.

“The Louisiana unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in series history” said the Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Robert Wooley. “We have had many job fairs over the month throughout the state, where jobseekers have been able to speak with employers, fill out job applications, interview and receive conditional job offers on site, and visit our Mobile Workforce Unit for assistance in their career journey. This is a true testament to how we are working to continuously put our Louisiana citizens back to work.”

Since July 2023, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals has increased by 1,782 to 71,468 in August 2023. This is the lowest number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals for the month of August in series history and the 10th lowest of all-time. Compared to August 2022, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 10,638.

Since July 2023, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals has decreased by 17,033 to 2,006,019 in August 2023. This is the fourth highest number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals for the month of August in series history. Compared to August 2022, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals decreased by 43.

Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for August 2023 is 1,955,400, an increase of 8,500 jobs from the revised July 2023 estimate of 1,946,900 jobs. Compared to August 2022, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 34,100 jobs. This shows over-the-month employment gains in 11 of the last 14 months and 29 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain.

Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted total private employment for August 2023 is 1,645,500, an increase of 2,100 jobs from the July 2023 revised estimate of 1,643,400. Compared to August 2022, not seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 29,000 jobs. This shows over-the-month employment gains in 15 of the last 20 months and 29 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain.