Regional And State Employment And Unemployment: April 2007 — 2007-05-18

Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed or slightly higher in April. Overall, 33 states and the District of Columbia recorded over-the- month unemployment rate increases, 13 states registered decreases, and 4 states had no changes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Over the year, jobless rates were down in 29 states and the District of Columbia, up in 19 states, and unchanged in 2 states. The national unemployment rate was essentially unchanged in April at 4.5 percent, but was down from 4.7 percent a year earlier. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 26 states and the District of Colum- bia and decreased in 22 states. Two states, South Dakota and Vermont, reported no change in over-the-month employment. The largest employment gains occurred in Texas (+23,500), Georgia (+14,300), Florida (+11,100), Virginia (+7,800), and California (+7,400).