September 1995 — 1995-11-02

Unemployment rates were lower in September 1995 than a month earlier in 20 states, higher in 20 states and the District of Columbia, and unchanged in 10 states, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The national unemployment rate remained at 5.6 percent in September. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 40 states and the District of Columbia over the month. New Jersey had the largest unemployment rate decrease from August to September (0.9 percentage point), followed by California, Illinois, and Texas (all 0.6 point). The declines in New Jersey's and California's rates put them at their lowest levels in more than 4 years, while the decreases in Illinois and Texas partially reversed recent increases. Florida had the largest over-the-month rate increase (1.0 percentage point), more than offsetting the prior month's decline. Pennsylvania's rate rose by 0.9 point to its highest rate in a year.