The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 41 states and the District of Columbia saw their unemployment rates decrease in September. Only 6 states saw increased unemployment, and 3 states had no change.

Compared to a year ago, 44 states have decreased unemployment, and 6 states have seen increases. The national unemployment rate in September was 7.8%, as we covered in the employment situation report.

In September, nonfarm payrolls increased in 35 states and D.C. and decreased in 15 states. D.C. experienced the largest over-the-month percentage increase in employment (+2.0%), followed by Maine (+0.9%) and South Carolina (+0.7%). Oregon and Wyoming experienced the largest over-the-month percentage declines in employment (-0.5% each), followed by West Virginia (-0.4%).

Puerto Rico continues to hold the highest unemployment rate at 13.6%, followed by Nevada at 11.8%. North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate at only 3.0%.

The 6 states that have higher unemployment rates then they did a year ago: New Jersey (9.8% from 9.4%), Connecticut (8.9% from 8.6%), New York (8.9% from 8.3%), Pennsylvania (8.2% from 8.0%), Maine (7.8% from 7.4%), and New Hampshire (5.7% from 5.4%).

 

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