While state unemployment slightly declined, Butler County’s jobless rate remained a steady 8.3 percent for the second consecutive month, according to recent figures released by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.

Alabama’s unemployment rate fell slid from 5.1 percent in July to 4.9 percent in August, said Tom Surtees, ADIR Director.

“The number of employed Alabamians increased by 3,200 from July to August, while there were over 3,800 fewer unemployed,” said Surtees.

In Butler County 752 people filed unemployment claims in August, versus 754 people in July. Butler County’s unemployment was 6.2 percent in August of last year.

The national unemployment rate rose to 6.1 percent in August, compared to 5.7 percent in July.

Crenshaw County had a low of 5.4 percent among surrounding counties. Montgomery had 5.5. percent, Lowndes had 10.3 percent, Conecuh had 8.3 percent, Wilcox had 13.4 percent, and Monroe had 9.8 percent.

The lowest county unemployment rates statewide for August were: Shelby (3.6 percent), Madison (3.8 percent), Blount (4.1 percent), Baldwin (4.2 percent) and Limestone (4.3 percent). The highest county rates for August were: Chambers (14.3 percent), Wilcox (13.4 percent), Bullock (12.2 percent), Dallas (11.5 percent), and Perry (11.3 percent).

All data for August is preliminary and can be revised by the ADIR.