Employment, jobless rate up in St. Mary

Employment in St. Mary, Assumption and St. Mary was up in March by more than 500 jobs from February, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. But unemployment rates also rose as more people entered or returned to the workforce.
In St. Mary, unemployment was 5.3% in March, up from 5.1% in February and from 3.8% in March 2023.
Total nonfarm employment was up by 208 jobs month over month to 17,861. But the number of unemployed people — people actively seeking work — was up 39 to 993.
In Assumption, the unemployment rate for March was unchanged at 4.7% on employment of 8,428. Employment was up 104 from February. The number of unemployed people was up three to 412.
The Assumption unemployment rate was 4.3% in March 2023, when employment stood at 8,353.
In St. Martin, March unemployment was also unchanged to 4.5%. Employment was up 201 to 21,124, and unemployment was up 10 to 993.
St. Martin’s March 2023 unemployment rate was 3.2% on employment of 21,275.
Statewide, the unemployment rate was 4.4%, up from 4.2% in February. The state 1,100 jobs from February and was up 500 year over year.
The big gainers in March:
—Construction gained 1,700 jobs month over month.
—Professional and business services grew by 600 jobs.
—Government added 400 jobs.
—Leisure and hospitality added 300 jobs.
The biggest declines were in:
—Trade, transportation and utilities, down by 900.
—Financial activities, down 800 jobs.
—Private education and health services, down 700.