Regional And State Employment And Unemployment: August 2006 — 2006-09-20

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in August. Overall, 27 states recorded over-the-month unemployment rate de- creases, 16 states and the District of Columbia registered rate increases, and 7 states had no change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Over the year, jobless rates were down in 37 states and the District of Columbia, up in 11 states, and unchanged in 2 states. The national unemployment rate was little changed in August at 4.7 percent, but was 0.2 percentage point lower than a year earlier. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 35 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 14 states, and was unchanged in 1 (Pennsylvania). The largest employment increases were recorded in California (+36,900), Florida (+23,700), Texas (+22,600), and Michigan (+17,900).