By Sandy Cunningham

L’Observateur

The unemployment rate was up slightly in the River Parishes from July to August, according to the latest civilian labor force statistics released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

St. John the Baptist Parish’s unemployment rate rose from 8.3 percent in July to 8.9 percent, or 2,067 workers, in August. The unemployment rate in St. Charles Parish rose from 6.7 percent in July to 7.0 percent, or 1,896 workers, in August, and the unemployment rate in St. James Parish rose from 10.6 percent in July to 10.7 percent, or 1,013 workers, in August.

A year ago, the unemployment rate in St. John Parish was 8 percent, the rate in St. Charles Parish was 5.7 percent, and the rate in St. James Parish was 11 percent.

The unemployment rate in St. James Parish is down from last year.

The state unemployment rate in August was 8.1 percent, while the national rate was 9.6 percent.

The lowest unemployment rate in the state was in Lafourche Parish with 5.3 percent, and the highest unemployment rate was in West Carroll Parish with 18.1 percent.

Louisiana has the 18th lowest unemployment rate in the country. The southern regional average rate is 9.2.

The civilian labor force statistics are estimated from a residential-based sample survey by place of residence. In addition to the unemployment rates, the LWC showed that some industries did show growth in August statewide, including construction, education and health services, government, mining, logging and financial activities.

Industries that showed decreases in employment include manufacturing, trade, transportation and utilities. There were also drops in the fields of information, professional and business services and leisure and hospitality The LWC said the decrease in leisure and hospitality jobs is due to a scale back of activities after the summer.