LaSalle Parish’s jobless rate for October showed a slight increase as the latest numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission as compiled by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics was released last week.

The number of La-Salle residents unemployed rose from 2.8% in September to 3.1% in October, stopping a lowering trend that had begun months ago following the Covid pandemic.

LaSalle’s 3.1% not seasonally adjusted rate tied for the sixth lowest rate in the state, with St. Charles Parish, who also had 3.1%.

The state’s lowest unemployment rate was Cameron Parish at 2.5%, followed by West Feliciana Parish at 2.7%, and Livingston and Ascension parishes at 2.9%.

Statewide, Louisiana continues to have the lowest in a series history of low unemployment numbers as its no seasonally adjusted rate stood at 3.6% and its seasonally adjusted rate at 3.3%.

LaSalle Parish continues to have the lowest unemployment figures in all of Central and North Louisiana.

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%.

Louisiana Numbers

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2023 is 3.3 percent, tied for the lowest rate in series history. This rate has remained unchanged for three consecutive months and shows a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from the October 2022 figure of 3.6 percent.

The number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals for October 2023 is estimated to be 69,858, the third-lowest figure in the series. While the series shows 1,935 more unemployed individuals than September 2023, compared to October 2022, the number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 5,010.

The number of seasonally adjusted employed individuals for October 2023 is 2,017,343. This is the second highest number of employed for the month of October in the series. The number of employed lost 4,519 individuals from the September 2023 revised estimate of 2,021,862. Compared to October 2022, the number of seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 10,979. This is the 31st consecutive month with an over-the-year gain in the number of employed.

“Louisiana continues to break series history records with the lowest unemployment rate,” said the Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary, Robert Wooley. “The work we do at the LWC constantly mimics our mission by putting our Louisiana residents back to work. We continue to partner with our stakeholders to host job fairs, resume services, career advice, and more at no cost. We encourage everyone to visit our website to stay updated with our upcoming events.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for October 2023 is 1,972,800 jobs, a decrease of 6,000 jobs from the September 2023 revised estimate of 1,978,800 jobs. Compared to October 2022, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 43,400 jobs. The series has seen 31 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain in nonfarm employment.

Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted private sector employment for October 2023 is 1,653,400 jobs, a decrease of 6,600 jobs from the September 2023 revised estimate of 1,660,000 jobs. Compared to October 2022, seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 36,100 jobs. The series has added jobs over the year for 31 consecutive months.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Data

Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for October 2023 is 1,985,700, an increase of 9,800 jobs from the revised September 2023 estimate of 1,975,900 jobs. Compared to October 2022, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 42,900 jobs. This shows over- themonth employment gains in 13 of the last 16 months and 31 consecutive months with an over-the- year gain.

Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted total private employment for October 2023 is 1,662,800, an increase of 7,500 jobs from the September 2023 revised estimate of 1,655,300. Compared to October 2022, not seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 35,400 jobs. This shows over-the-month employment gains in 17 of the last 22 months and 31 consecutive months with an over-the-year gain.

Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2023 is 3.6 percent. This is the 2nd lowest rate for the month of October in series history. The rate shows no change from the September 2023 rate but an increase of 0.4 percentage points from October 2022.

Since September 2023, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals has increased by 1,158 to 75,571 in October 2023. This is the 3rd lowest number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals for the month of October in series history. Compared to October 2022, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals increased by 8,021.