Staff Report
The Tri-Parish workforce grew by 306 people from September to September, according to a monthly report from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics released Friday.
The workforce for St. Landry, Acadia and Evangeline parishes in September was 67,795, which is a 0.5% increase over the September 2018 workforce.
The workforce count includes both those employed and those seeking a job.
The employment statistics released by in a Louisiana Workforce Commission news release are not adjusted for season factors such as weather and holidays.
In August, the Tri-Parish workforce totaled 67,896, down 139 from the August 2018 workforce numbering 68,035.
In St. Landry Parish, the September workforce totaled 31,746, up 165 from the September 2018 workforce of 31,581.
The Evangeline Parish workforce dropped by 1.2% in September compared to a year ago. The September workforce was 11,957, down from 12,097 a year ago in September.
In Acadia Parish, the September workforce was 24,02, up 281 from the September 2018 workforce of 23,811.
September unemployment rates by parish were:
— St. Landry Parish, 5.9%, down from 6.2% in September 2018 and down from 6.2% in August.
— Acadia Parish, 5%, down from 5.4% in September 2018 and down from 5.3% in August.
— Evangeline Parish, 5.6%, unchanged from September 2018 and down from 6.2% in August.
In the state, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 9,200 jobs from 1,980,200 in September 2018 to 1,989,400 jobs in September. From August, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment has increased by 10,100 jobs.
Not seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 10,600 jobs from 1,652,100 in September 2018 to 1,662,700 in September.
Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased 0.4% from 4.9% in September 2018 to 4.5% September. From August, Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also decreased 0.4%.
Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force, or the number of people who are employed in addition to those looking for work increased by 1,960 from 2,093,336 in September 2018 to 2,095,296 in September. From August, Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 5,347.
The number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 9,704 from 1,990,366 in September 2018 to 2,000,070 in September. From August, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 12,508.
The number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 7,774 from 102,970 in September 2018 to 95,226 in September. From August, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 7,161.
All nine metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) saw a decrease in their not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate from September and September 2018. For the seventh month in a row, all not seasonally adjusted MSA rates declined over the year. Not-seasonally adjusted September unemployment rates for the nine metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) are as follows:
— Alexandria: 5%, down from 5.4% in August, and down from 5.4% from September 2018.
— Baton Rouge: 4.2%, down from 4.5% in August, and down from 4.4% from September 2018.
— Hammond: 5.1%, down from 5.5% in August, and down from 5.5% from September 2018.
— Houma: 4.4%, down from 4.6% in August, and down from 4.9% from September 2018.
— Lafayette: 4.5%, down from 4.7% in August, and down from 4.9% from September 2018.
— Lake Charles: 3.7%, down from 4% in August, and down from 3.8% from September 2018.
— Monroe: 5.1%, down from 5.4% in August, and down from 5.3% from September 2018.
— New Orleans: 4.2%, down from 4.5% in August, and down from 4.8% from September 2018.
— Shreveport: 4.9%, down from 5.2% in August, and down from 5.2% from September 2018.