Area posts nation’s lowest jobless rate

The unemployment rate in the Houma-Thibodaux metropolitan area was the lowest of all metropolitan areas in the nation in February, while Louisiana was the only state to gain jobs during the month, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Houma-Thibodaux’s 3.5 percent unemployment rate was the smallest of the country’s 372 metropolitan areas. Only 20 of the metropolitan areas posted rates below 5 percent.

Houma-Thibodaux’s 3.7 percent unemployment rate in January was also the country’s lowest.

Lafourche and Terrebonne’s unemployment rates in February, 3.4 and 3.6 percent respectively, were a two-tenths percent drop from January.

St. Mary Parish’s unemployment rate increased to 5.5 from 5.4 percent in the same period.

The Lafayette metro area had the second lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.9 percent.

Louisiana gained 800 jobs in February.

The state was also the only to experience a decrease in the unemployment rate in January.

The number of people employed in the state (1.94 million) was the highest number ever for February, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.