Alabama's jobless rate remains below the national average Share Updated: 7:23 PM CDT Jul 16, 2021 Associated Press The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Share Updated: 7:23 PM CDT Jul 16, 2021 Associated Press Alabama’s jobless rate declined to 3.3% in June, well below the national average, as state leaders emphasized keeping the economy going amid concerns about a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Kay Ivey’s office said Friday the state unemployment rate was down slightly from 3.4% in May. That's much better than the rate of 7.7% from a year earlier when many businesses were closed or operating at limited capacity to limit the spread of COVID-19. Alabama is among the states that have been aggressive in keeping businesses open despite low vaccination rates and increasing illness.Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 2.4%, Blount County at 2.5%, and Marshall and Cullman Counties at 2.6%.