LaSalle Parish continues to trend with low unemployment numbers as the latest figures released for March show La-Salle tied for the second lowest unemployment percentage in the entire state.

The data was released by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics that showed LaSalle at 2.8% unemployment, tied with Ascension Parish for the number two spot. The lowest unemployment percentage in the state belonged to West Feliciana Parish at 2.7%.

LaSalle led the state in unemployment numbers for many months coming out of the Covid pandemic in 2021 and 2022 and despite being tied for second lowest in March, the overall trend is that the parish is filled with a majority of people who not only want to work but do so.

This information is vital for economic development as businesses and industries scan the nation looking for locations to invest with a sustainable workforce.

The top five lowest unemployment parishes in the state were: West Feliciana 2.7%, LaSalle 2.8%, Ascension 2.8%, Livingston 2.9% and Cameron 2.9%.

Parishes surrounding LaSalle and their unemployment numbers are: Rapides 3.2%, Grant 3.3%, Caldwell 3.9%, Winn 4.2% and Catahoula 4.6%.

The state-wide data released shows that Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted labor force data has again set several new records. The number of employed for March 2023 is 2,030,553, a record high for the series. The number of employed saw a gain of 8,791 individuals from the February revised estimate of 2,021,762. Compared to March 2022, the number of seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 12,208. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March 2023 is 3.6 percent. The rate is the lowest rate for March and is tied for the second-lowest rate in series history. This shows no change from the February 2023 rate but declined by 0.1 percentage points from the March 2022 rate of 3.7 percent. The rate has declined over the year for 25 consecutive months. The number of unemployed individuals was estimated to be 75,972, the lowest figure for March in series history. Since February 2023, the number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals increased by 101 from 75,871. Compared to March 2022, the number of seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 2,093. “Louisiana’s number of employed continues to increase and produce record- breaking results,” said Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates. “LWC’s partnerships with employers have enabled us to host job fairs almost daily across the month, helping Louisianans reach employment and keeping those numbers on the rise.” The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment for March 2023 is 1,949,900 jobs, an increase of 4,400 jobs from the February 2023 revised estimate of 1,945,500 jobs. Compared to March 2022, seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 40,200 jobs. The series has seen 24 consecutive months with an overthe- year gain. This is the highest employment levelforthestate since March 2020. Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted private sector employment for March 2023 is 1,635,900 jobs, an increase of 4,800 jobs from the February 2023 revised estimate of 1,631,100 jobs. Compared to March 2022, seasonally adjusted private sector employment increased by 36,100 jobs. The series has added jobs over the year for 24 consecutive months.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards was more than pleased with the unemployment numbers for March.

“There are now more Louisianans working than ever before in our history,” Gov. Edwards said. “These job numbers are validation of our bipartisan work to grow and diversify our economy. Every day I am inspired by the talent and skill of our people, who have come back so strong from the COVID pandemic and two devastating hurricane seasons in 2020 and 2021.”