For the most part, Franklin County’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in July, dropping from the June reported total of 7.8 percent to 7.6 percent.

That represents 997 county residents that filed jobless claims last month, 26 fewer than June. The rate, is down considerably from the 9.1 percent from the same time a year ago.

Gov. Robert Bentley on Friday announced that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally-adjusted July unemployment rate is 6.3 percent, down from June’s rate of 6.5 percent and well below July 2012’s rate of 7.6 percent.

July 2013’s statewide rate represents 135,089 unemployed persons, down from 140,024 in the previous month and 163,932 in July of 2012. The last time Alabama’s unemployment rate was at or below 6.3 percent was October of 2008 when the rate was 5.9 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,” Bentley said. “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.”

“Employers are hiring in Alabama,” Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees said. “The most in-demand jobs posted – meaning jobs available now – are relatively high-paying jobs that translate into lifelong careers. Additionally, we know that more jobs are coming, as more companies have announced that they are locating or expanding in Alabama.”

Counties with the lowest unemployment rates for July 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.

In northwest Alabama, totals were as follows: Lauderdale County at 6.1 percent, Colbert County at 6.8 percent, Lawrence County at 7.1 percent, Marion County at 7.7 percent and Winston County at 8.9 percent.