Regional And State Employment And Unemployment: February 2007 — 2007-03-30

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in February. Overall, 24 states and the District of Columbia registered over- the-month unemployment rate decreases, 16 states recorded increases, and 10 states had no change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Over the year, jobless rates declined in 33 states and the District of Columbia, rose in 10 states, and were unchanged in 7 states. The national unemployment rate was essentially unchanged in February at 4.5 percent, but was down from 4.8 percent a year earlier. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 39 states and the District of Columbia over the month and decreased in 11 states. The largest employment gains occurred in California (+27,600), Texas (+14,300), Arizona (+12,200), Florida (+10,400), Michigan (+9,300), and Nevada (+8,000).