Staff Report
The Tri-Parish workforce declined by 0.5 percent in June compared to June 18, according to not seasonally adjusted numbers from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
The June workforce was 69,273, down 383 from the count a year ago.
The workforce count includes both those employed and seeking a job.
The unemployment rates in St. Landry, Acadia and Evangeline parishes rose in June compared to the May rates, but remain below the June 2018 rates.
The Tri-Parish June workforce counts are:
— St. Landry Parish, 32,486, down 303— 0.9 percent — from June 2018.
— Acadia Parish, 24,368, down 103 — 0.4 percent — from June 2018.
— Evangeline Parish, 12,316, down 80 — 0.6 percent — from June 2018.
June unemployment rates were:
— St. Landry Parish, 6.9 percent, down from 7.9 percent in June 2018 and up from 5.3 percent in May.
— Acadia Parish, 5.8 percent, down from 6.7 percent in June 2018 and up from 4.6 percent in May.
— Evangeline Parish, 6.6 percent, down from 7.4 percent June 2018 and up from 4.9 percent in May.
Data released by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) show that the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased from 2,007,861 in June 2018 to 2,013,742 in June, an increase of 5,881. Since May, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals has increased by 5,719.
The not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force, or the number of people who are employed in addition to those looking for work, increased by 33,133 from 2,093,896 in May to 2,127,029 in June.
From June 2018, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals has decreased from 130,667 to 113,287, a net decrease of 17,380.
Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.8 percentage points from 6.1 percent in June 2018 to 5.3 percent in June. Historically, the over the month May to June not seasonally adjusted rate increase average is 1.2 percent. This over the month not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increase typically seen from May to June is due primarily to summer employment trends in the education and government sectors, particularly in higher education.
This is the fourth straight month that the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in all Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) has declined over the year. Historically, the over the month May to June not seasonally adjusted rate increase average for all MSAs is 1.1 percent. Not-seasonally adjusted June unemployment rates for the nine MSAs are as follows:
— Alexandria: 5.7 percent, up from 4.4 percent in May but down from 6.6 percent in June 2018.
— Baton Rouge: 4.9 percent, up from 3.7 percent in May, but down from 5.5 percent in June 2018.
— Hammond: 6.2 percent, up from 4.6 percent in May, but down from 7.0 percent in June 2018.
— Houma: 5.2 percent, up from 4.1 percent in May, but down from 6.1 percent in June 2018.
— Lafayette: 5.2 percent, up from 4.1 percent in May, but down from 6.1 percent in June 2018.
— Lake Charles: 4.3 percent, up from 3.3 percent in May, but down from 4.8 percent in June 2018.
— Monroe: 5.8 percent, up from 4.6 percent in May, but down from 6.3 percent in June 2018.
— New Orleans: 5 percent, up from 3.8 percent in May, but down from 5.8 percent in June 2018.
— Shreveport: 5.7 percent, up from 4.4 percent in May, but down from 6.5 percent in June 2018.