Pike County’s unemployment rate is down from last month, following the overall state trend.

According to the Alabama Department of Labor, July’s 2013 preliminary numbers report unemployment is down 6.3 percent statewide, down from 6.5 percent in June and more than a percentage point lower than last July at 7.6 percent.

In Pike County, July’s preliminary numbers show a 6.7 percent unemployment rate, down from 7.1 percent in June and more than a percentage point lower than last July at 7.8 percent.

“While we are encouraged to see another drop in our unemployment rate, we need to remember there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Governor Robert Bentley. “We will continue to recruit more jobs. We will continue to show how Alabama is a great place to do business. We will encourage more companies to build here and expand and hire more people. And we will continue these efforts until everyone who wants a job is able to find one.”

In Pike County, the Department of Labor numbers show 1,025 unemployed people in Pike County, down from 1,084 in June and 1,213 last July. The report notes that there were 14,341 people employed in the county this July, down from 14,421 people last July.

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates for July 2013 are: Shelby County at 4.2 percent, Baldwin County at 5.3 percent and Cullman County at 5.4 percent. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 16.3 percent, Perry County at 14.7 percent and Dallas County at 14.4 percent.