LaSalle Parish’s jobless rate for September dropped once again from 2.9% in August to 2.8% for September, tied for the fifth lowest in the state according to data released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission last week.

The trend of more Louisianians at work was seen across the state as the state’s jobless rate fell to 3.6% (non-seasonally adjusted).

Data released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains the lowest in the series history at 3.3 percent.

The rate shows no change from the August 2023 figure but decreased by 0.3 percentage points from the September 2022 figure of 3.6 percent.

LaSalle Parish’s jobless rate for August fell to 2.8%, however, so did many other parishes leaving LaSalle tied for fifth place, along with Jackson Parish, for the state’s lowest unemployment numbers.

LaSalle and Jackson continue to have the lowest unemployment figures in all of Central and North Louisiana.

The state’s lowest unemployment rate was once again West Feliciana Parish at 2.3% (up from last month’s 2.2%) and Cameron Parish, also at 2.3%. Livingston and Ascension parishes tied for the next lowest at 2.7%.

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 3.1%; Grant 3.4%; Caldwell 3.6%; Winn 3.9%; and Catahoula 4.0%.

The Louisiana unemployment rate continues to be historic,” said the Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Robert Wooley. “The first two months of the pandemic cost Louisiana over 280,000 jobs, but seasonal total nonfarm employment has surpassed the March 2020 figure for the first time since. September’s unemployment numbers show that the LWC’s efforts, such as our job fairs, the Mobile Workforce Unit’s assistance, and partnerships, continue to put our people back to work successfully.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for September 2023 is 1,978,900 jobs, an increase of 8,900 jobs from the August 2023 revised estimate of 1,970,000 jobs. Compared to September 2022, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 46,000 jobs. The series has seen 30 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain.

For the first time, this series shows seasonally adjusted employment levels higher than the first onset of COVID-related employment declines. The March 2020 seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment figure was 1,972,200, reflecting coming decline as it lost 20,400 jobs from the February 2020 estimate. Today’s release shows an increase of 6,700 jobs from that March 2020 figure.

Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted private sector employment for September 2023 is 1,660,600 jobs, an increase of 8,400 jobs from the August 2023 revised estimate of 1,652,200 jobs. Compared to September 2022, seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 39,900 jobs. The series has added jobs over the year for 30 consecutive months. Private sector employment has also recovered from the March 2020 figure, adding 19,800 jobs from the first COVID-19 decline figure, and is only 1,000 jobs from February 2020’s pre-COVID figure.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Data Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for September 2023 is 1,974,100, an increase of 13,500 jobs from the revised August 2023 estimate of 1,960,600 jobs. Compared to September 2022, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 47,000 jobs. This shows over-the-month employment gains in 12 of the last 15 months and 30 consecutive months with an over- the-year gain.

Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted total private employment for September 2023 is 1,653,600, an increase of 4,000 jobs from the August 2023 revised estimate of 1,649,600. Compared to September 2022, not seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 38,700 jobs. This shows over-the- month employment gains in 16 of the last 21 months and 30 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain.

Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2023 is 3.6 percent. This is the 2nd lowest rate for the month of September in series history. The rate shows an increase of 0.2 percentage points from the August 2023 rate of 3.4 percent and an increase of 0.1 percentage points from September 2022.

Since August 2023, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals has increased by 3,023 to 74,446 in September 2023. This is the 2nd lowest number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals for the month of September in series history. Compared to September 2022, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals increased by 1,188.

Since August 2023, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals has increased by 12,001 to 2,018,789 in September 2023. This is the highest number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals for the month of September in series history. Compared to September 2022, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 7,500.

Seasonally Adjusted vs. Not Seasonally Adjusted Data Jobs and employment trends data are often difficult to understand because there are two different ways to look at the data, seasonally or non-seasonally adjusted data.

The seasonal adjustment measures and removes the influences of predictable seasonal patterns to reveal how employment and unemployment figures change monthly. Not seasonally adjusted data retain seasonal employment trends.

Over a year, the labor force size, available jobs, and employment rates undergo predictable fluctuations due to seasonal changes in weather, harvests, major holidays, and school schedules. Seasonal adjustment reduces the impact of these changes, making it easier to understand trends. Seasonally adjusted data is best utilized when comparing several months of employment and job data, while not seasonally adjusted data is best used to compare over-the-year trends. Seasonally adjusted data is helpful for comparisons among states and the nation.