The latest unemployment numbers show that Cherokee County is, once again, home to one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state.

Cherokee County posted a rate of 4.9%; other counties with low figures include Shelby with the lowest number, just 4.2%.  Lee and Elmore came in at just 4.8% while Cullman matched Cherokee at 4.9

Wilcox County had the highest rate for the month of September, at 13.4%

Statewide, the rate held steady at 5.4%, which is significantly better than this time one year ago when the rate was 6.1%.

Officials with the Alabama Department of Labor said the Manufacturing Sector continues to improve, with employment reaching near pre-recession levels.