Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2008-04-18

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally higher in March. Overall, 36 states and the District of Columbia recorded over-the-month unemployment rate increases, 5 states registered decreases, and 9 states had no change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Over the year, jobless rates were up in 39 states and the District of Columbia, down in 9 states, and unchanged in 2 states. The national unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in March, up from 4.8 per- cent in February and 4.4 percent in March 2007. Between February 2008 and March 2008, employment increased in 22 states, decreased in 27 states and the District of Columbia, and was unchanged in 1 state (Maine). Texas recorded the largest over-the-month increase in employment (+13,200), followed by Minnesota (+5,200), Colorado (+5,100), and Utah (+4,600).