Staff Report
Unemployment rates in the Tri-Parish area and state rose by about 2% in March compared to the rates a year ago, according to Bureau of Labor statistics released Friday by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
The report reflects the impact of the coronavirus CLOVID-19 on the job market in the state.
The state’s jobless rate in March in the not seasonally adjusted statistics was 6.1%, up from 4.1% in March 2019. The February rate was 4.3%.
In St. Landry Parish, the March unemployment rate was 7.9%, up from 5.4% in March 2019 and 5.8% in February.
In Acadia Parish, the March jobless rate was 6.6%, up from 4.6% in March 2019 and 4.6% in February.
In Evangeline Parish, the March unemployment rate was 7.2%, up from 5% percent in March 2019 and 5.2% in February.
The report also showed the Tri-Parish workforce increased in March compared to a year ago in March.
The workforce includes those people working and those looking for a job.
The total workforce for St. Landry, Acadia and Evangeline parishes was 68,975 in March, up 1,937 or 2.9% from March 2019.
In St. Landry Parish, the March workforce was 32,739, up 1,218 or 3.9% from March 2019.
In Evangeline Parish, the March workforce was 12,032, up 158 or 1.3% from March 2019.
In Acadia Parish, the March workforce was 24,204, up 561 or 2.5% from March 2019.
Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 55,320 from 2,082,795 in March 2019 to 2,138,115 in March. From February, Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 41,537.
The number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 11,283 from 1,997,167 in March 2019 to 2,008,450 in March. From February, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 1,587.
Not seasonally adjusted March unemployment rates for Louisiana’s nine Metropolitan Statistical Areas are as follows:
— Alexandria: 6.3%, up from 4.4% in March 2019 and up from 4.5% from February.
— Baton Rouge: 5.4%, up from 3.6 percent in March 2019 and up from 3.8% from February.
— Hammond: 6.8%, up from 4.7% in March 2019 and up from 4.7% from February.
— Houma: 5.7%, up from 4% in March 2019 and up from 3.9% from February.
— Lafayette: 6.1%, up from 4.1% from March 2019 and up from 4.3% from February.
— Lake Charles: 5.6%, up from 3.4% in March 2019 and up from 4% from February.
— Monroe: 6.9%, up from 4.7% in March 2019 and up from 5% from February.
— New Orleans: 5.6%, up from 3.8% in March 2019 and up from 3.9% from February.
— Shreveport: 6.4%, up from 4.4% in March 2019 and up from 4.6% from February.
Resources for employers and job seekers
Job-seekers can explore careers, apply for top-rated jobs and connect with local training providers using Louisiana Star Jobs, the LWC’s free career tool, at http://www.laworks.net/Stars/. Employers looking for workers should visit Louisiana’s employment homepage at www.laworks.net. Click on HiRE (Helping Individuals Reach Employment) and create an account allowing access to qualified job seekers.