Why Is Unemployment Low In Louisiana? (Many: city hall, homes, tech jobs)

[Jay F]

I saw the unemployment rate in Louisiana was 6.9% in September down from 7.2% in August and 7.7% September 2010. For this time period we are in 6.9% is low, well below the national average and significantly lower than Southern states such as

Alabama 9.8%
Arkansas 8.3%
Florida 10.6%
Georgia 10.3%
Mississippi 10.6%
North Carolina 10.5%
South Carolina 11.0%
Tennessee 9.8%
Texas 8.5%

Why is the unemployment rate in LA lower than these states?

[Innotech]

Lots of blue collar jobs that are necessary rather than luxuries. Plenty of oilfield work and a growing medical field, as well as increasing retail and food service jobs. Surprisingly, there are also some high tech jobs coming into the state recently that are going to help keep the educated professionals here. Things are looking up!

I found an article that addresses this question:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...l2zXvQ&cad=rja

Also, Governor Jindal is doing an excellent job overall, and he knows what this state's strengths are and plays to them. Louisiana is enjoying some very solid growth and economic success at the moment, although if the economy was better in the country it would be doing even better.

[CTtcg]

Louisiana tends to have an unemployment rate that bucks the national trends.

[MetroBTR]

We're always going against the flow here in LA.

[Innotech]

Also, I think the extreme northeastern part of the state skews the unemployment numbers. That area has always been poverty stricken with high unemployment and the lower part of the state is doing quite well.
Many places are below the 6.9% number.

[kenvbtx]

I think unemployment would be lower if it weren't for the Gulf Oil Spill, that affected tourism, fishing, and other industries.

Natural resources (oil, timber, etc.); People need what Louisiana has. Drive along on I-10 or I-20 towards Texas and you'll see so many trucks hauling hay. Also you'll see so many signs/banners that say "we're hiring" while driving along the highways.

The attitude of the people I've met have been mostly positive. There's more but that is all I can think of at the moment.

[annie_himself]

I haven't seen any truck hauling hay since last year on I-10, and I've driven the length from BR to Houston about 10 times since last year.

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

I haven't seen any truck hauling hay since last year on I-10, and I've driven the length from BR to Houston about 10 times since last year.

I don't think I've ever even seen a hay truck on I-10. Mississippi on the other hand, I've seen hay trucks, log trucks, and even combines and tractors on the highway. The latter two were hilarious at first glance, but hey it is what it its.

[annie_himself]

I've seen them too in Mississippi, just not on I-55 or I-20. Combines are impressive enormous machines..

[Yokie]

How many people are moving to Louisiana? If there were hundreds, then probably the unemployment numbers would be higher -- you think?

I've never been to Louisiana, or even driven through, so this is just my humble opinion, emphasis on opinion . . .an opinion influenced by the popular Louisiana TV program, "Billy the Exterminator," which always makes me ask "Why would anybody want to live there?"

So perhaps that's why there is a low unemployment rate -- not enough people willing to move there to raise the unemployment numbers.

Just before the "Billy" program starts there is that wonderful sign that opens the show and which says "Welcome to Louisiana" -- !!! followed by a living display of wildlife including alligators, mahogany wasps, black widow spiders, roaches, wildcats, bats, poisonous and very venomous snakes, and other creepy crawlers all of which are infesting horse farms, golf courses, city halls, businesses, and private homes. -- egads!

Welcome to Louisiana???