Alabama's unemployment rate nudged down in October despite a growing labor force, according to data released today by the state Department of Labor.

The seasonally adjusted rate was 8.1 percent in October, down from 8.2 percent in September and 8.5 percent in October 2011.

County rates are not seasonally adjusted, and growth in the labor force surpassed the increase in employment in Morgan and Limestone counties.

Morgan County's unemployment rate in October was 7.4 percent, up from 7 percent in September but down from the October 2011 rate of 7.8 percent.

In Limestone County, the October unemployment rate was 6.8 percent, up from 6.4 percent in the previous month but down from the year-ago rate of 7 percent.

Lawrence County's unemployment rate ticked down to 8.1 percent in October from 8.2 percent in September, well below the 9.2 percent rate in October 2011.

Not seasonally adjusted, and thus comparable to the county rates, Alabama's unemployment rate was 7.8 percent in October, up from 7.6 percent in September.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States in October was 7.9 percent. Not seasonally adjusted, it was 7.5 percent.

"This month, everything worked out the way we wish it would always work out," Alabama Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees said. "Our labor force grew, the number of Alabamians working increased, and the number of those unemployed decreased. We hope to continue seeing these positive signs in the future."