Department of Numbers

Tuscaloosa, Alabama Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Tuscaloosa rose 0.1 percentage points in October 2023 to 2.3%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.0 percentage points lower than the Alabama rate. The unemployment rate in Tuscaloosa peaked in April 2020 at 18.0% and is now 15.7 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.2% in March 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also compare Tuscaloosa unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate October 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.9% +0.1 +0.2
Alabama 2.3% +0.1 -0.3
Tuscaloosa 2.3% +0.1 -0.3
Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.1 All comparisons are made with October 2023 data as November metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, National

Tuscaloosa, Alabama monthly unemployment rate chart

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Tuscaloosa peaked in April 2020 at 20,524. There are now 17,755 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 2,563 in April 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 206. Tuscaloosa employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Tuscaloosa, Alabama) is also available.

Unemployed Persons October 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Tuscaloosa 2,769 +86 -327

Number of Unemployed Persons

Tuscaloosa, Alabama Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Alabama
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
Unemployment Rate
Tuscaloosa
Unemployed
November
2023
3.7%
October
2023
3.9% 2.3% 2.3% 2,769
September
2023
3.8% 2.2% 2.2% 2,683
August
2023
3.8% 2.1% 2.2% 2,579
July
2023
3.5% 2.1% 2.2% 2,576
June
2023
3.6% 2.2% 2.2% 2,631
May
2023
3.7% 2.2% 2.2% 2,623
April
2023
3.4% 2.2% 2.2% 2,563
March
2023
3.5% 2.3% 2.2% 2,607
February
2023
3.6% 2.5% 2.3% 2,761
January
2023
3.4% 2.6% 2.5% 2,907
December
2022
3.5% 2.6% 2.6% 3,059

1. Metro area unemployment rates are now seasonally adjusted. The BLS has started publishing smoothed seasonally adjusted metropolitan area data which makes comparisons to state and national data more relevant than the unadjusted numbers.