Tri-Parish jobless rate up from a year ago

Tri-Parish unemployment rates in October were up from a year ago, according to Bureau of Labor and Statistics data released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission on Wednesday.
October unemployment rates were:
— St. Landry Parish, 6 percent, up from 5.5 percent in October 2017, but down from 6.3 percent in September.
— Acadia Parish, 5.2 percent, up from 5 percent in October 2017, and down from 5.5 percent in September.
— Evangeline Parish, 5.4 percent, up 5.1 percent in October 2017, and down from 5.8 percent in September.
The statistics released Wednesday are not seasonally adjusted for factors such as weather and holidays.
The combined workforce numbered 67,489 in October, down 789 or 1.2 percent from the October 2017 workforce.
The workforce includes those people employed and looking for jobs.
St. Landry Parish’s workforce in October was 31,762, down 0.2 percent or 72 people from the October 2017 workforce.
Acadia Parish’s October workforce was 23,754, down 0.8 percent or 190 people from the October 2017 workforce.
Evangeline Parish’s October workforce was 11,973, down 4.2 percent or 527 people from the October 2017 workforce.
The state unemployment rate in October was 4.7 percent, up from 4.3 percent in October 2017 and down from 5 percent from September.
From September, the not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force, or the number of people who are employed in addition to those looking for work increased by 8,813 to 2,107,987.
From September, all nine metropolitan statistical areas saw a decline in their not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates. This is the third straight month unemployment rates have declined over the month for all MSAs
Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates are below:
• Alexandria: 5.1 percent, down from 5.4 percent in September, but up from 4.7 percent from October 2017.
• Baton Rouge: 4.2 percent, down from 4.5 percent in September, but up from
3.8 percent from October 2017.
• Hammond: 5 percent, down from 5.4 percent in September, but up from 4.5 percent from October 2017.
• Houma: 4.8 percent, down from 5 percent in September, but up from 4.4 percent from October 2017.
• Lafayette: 4.7 percent, down from 5 percent in September, but up from 4.6 percent from October 2017.
• Lake Charles: 3.5 percent, down from 3.8 percent in September, but up from 3.3 percent from October 2017.
• Monroe: 5.1 percent, down from 5.4 percent in September, but up from 4.5 percent from October 2017.
• New Orleans: 4.4 percent, down from 4.8 percent in September, but up from 4.1 percent from October 2017.
• Shreveport: 5.1 percent, down from 5.3 percent in September, but up from 4.7 percent from October 2017.