[The_Rambler]

Here's an interesting article:

"No state has lost a higher percentage of its jobs since this recession began in December 2007 than Alabama. The state had 11% fewer jobs in October 2009 than it did in late 2007 — a larger decline than even battle-scarred Michigan.

The worst job declines in the nation during this recession have been in rural Alabama, which has 13.1% fewer jobs than when the recession began...."

Read the full article and see the map here:

Alabama Is Bleeding Rural Jobs | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by The_Rambler

Here's an interesting article:

"No state has lost a higher percentage of its jobs since this recession began in December 2007 than Alabama. The state had 11% fewer jobs in October 2009 than it did in late 2007 — a larger decline than even battle-scarred Michigan.

The worst job declines in the nation during this recession have been in rural Alabama, which has 13.1% fewer jobs than when the recession began...."

Read the full article and see the map here:

Alabama Is Bleeding Rural Jobs | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural

I'm not surprised. I have a piece of property in NW Alabama that I visit frequently; in that county, several mobile home manufacturers have shut down over the past year or two, and last I heard, the unemployment rate was approaching 20%. Still, people seem pretty upbeat, for the most part.

[harry chickpea]

Yow! Something we certainly did not expect when we moved up here. Looks like if there is a target for job losses, Alabama is in the center. If the space program winds down, that will only worsen things.

[unionjack3902]

I knew it was bad but nothing like the report. No matter, after 17 years in 'Bama I'm outta here for Pennsylvania in 60 days, already had two job offers for $3.00/hr more to start than the same job tops out at here.

[cpg35223]

Well, Alabama was hit with a perfect storm of sorts, for even a more broad-based economy has sectors and all of Alabama's seemed to get hit: Banking, construction material, automotive, heavy manufacturing, publishing, etc. etc. Before the Great Recession, Birmingham had the country's lowest unemployment. So when things are good, they're really good. And when they're bad...they're still not as bad as Michigan.

[southernnaturelover]

I think our unemployment rate here in Escambia County is around 13%, but it's even worse up in Monroe County where it's over 20%, the lay offs at Georgia-Pacific and Vanity Fair have really hit them hard.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by The_Rambler

Here's an interesting article:

"No state has lost a higher percentage of its jobs since this recession began in December 2007 than Alabama. The state had 11% fewer jobs in October 2009 than it did in late 2007 — a larger decline than even battle-scarred Michigan.

The worst job declines in the nation during this recession have been in rural Alabama, which has 13.1% fewer jobs than when the recession began...."

Read the full article and see the map here:

Alabama Is Bleeding Rural Jobs | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural

I glanced at the article and it seems it was only referring to rural, not urban areas. That is low density area, not high density areas.

So, what's worse? A county with 5000 people going from 8% to 15% unemployment, or, a county with 800,000 people going from 8% to 9% unemployment?

[harry chickpea]

"So, what's worse? A county with 5000 people going from 8% to 15% unemployment, or, a county with 800,000 people going from 8% to 9% unemployment?"

Those population figures are silly. 5000 people is a town. Countries usually have more than one town.

Also, it isn't ONE county, it is all the counties in the state with Hsvl and Bham not reporting. The best that can be said is that if the state government is aggressive when jobs do return, there may be a lot of businesses interested in tapping into the job market at low wages.

[sedriskell]

You also have to realize that Alabama had a VERY low unemployment rate before the recession hit. So, a 13.1% drop isn't what it would be in other states.

[SouthernBoy205]

It's only going to worsen with dumb Riley's decision to close the bingo halls down in Greene and Macon Counties.