Regional And State Employment And Unemployment: March 2007 — 2007-04-20

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally unchanged or lower in March. Overall, 30 states and the District of Columbia recorded over- the-month unemployment rate decreases, 12 states registered increases, and 8 states had no changes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Depart- ment of Labor reported today. Over the year, jobless rates were down in 36 states and the District of Columbia, up in 9 states, and unchanged in 5 states. The national unemployment rate was essentially unchanged in March at 4.4 percent but was down from 4.7 percent a year earlier. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 47 states in March and decreased in 3 states and the District of Columbia. The largest employment gains occurred in California (+18,500), Florida (+16,400), Texas (+15,000), Tennessee (+12,400), Indiana (+12,000), Missouri (+10,800), and Ohio (+10,000).