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Alabama is a right-to-work state. Madison’s labor force draws on a highly-educated population with over 97% of adults holding at least a high school diploma, roughly 59% with a Bachelor’s Degree. Thanks to a highly-educated workforce and the increase of high-tech jobs, the city of Madison’s unemployment numbers fall well below the county, region, and state levels.
For more detailed workforce information, contact the City of Madison Industrial Development Board at (256) 772-2885.
Current Workforce Statistics
Alabama and Madison are well below the national averages for unemployment with a strong labor force and opportunities.
| Area | Labor Force | Employment | Unemployment | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationally | 160,935,000 | 151,620,000 | 9,316,000 | 5.8% |
| Alabama | 2,225,648 | 2,150,190 | 75,458 | 3.4% |
| City of Madison | 27,350 | 26,839 | 511 | 1.9% |
Source: Alabama Department of Labor. Based on May 2021 data.
Regional Workforce
| Area | Labor Force | Employment | Unemployment | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | 190,264 | 181,101 | 4,163 | 2.2% |
| Cullman County | 37,304 | 36,528 | 619 | 2.1% |
| DeKalb County | 30,665 | 30,046 | 1,227 | 2.0% |
| Jackson County | 22,307 | 21,776 | 531 | 2.4% |
| Limestone County | 45,300 | 44,327 | 973 | 2.1% |
| Marshall County | 44,043 | 43,168 | 875 | 2.0% |
| Morgan County | 58,927 | 57,652 | 1,275 | 2.2% |
Source: Alabama Department of Labor, Based on May 2021 data.
Underemployment
| Rate | Workers | |
|---|---|---|
| North Region | 19.2% | 105,034 |
| Madison County | 20.0% | 37,041 |
Note: Rounding errors may be present. North Region includes Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, Colbert, Lawrence, Morgan, Marshall, DeKalb, Marion, Winston, and Cullman Counties.
Source: 2021 Civilian Labor Force and Underemployment, Labor Market Information (LMI) Division of the Alabama Department of Labor and The University of Alabama, Average Underemployment counts and rate from Jan - May 2021.