State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2020-09-18

Unemployment rates were lower in August in 41 states, higher in 2 states, and stable in 7 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. All 50 states and the District had jobless rate increases from a year earlier. The national unemployment rate fell by 1.8 percentage points over the month to 8.4 percent but was 4.7 points higher than in August 2019. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 40 states and was essentially unchanged in 10 states and the District of Columbia in August 2020. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 49 states and the District and was essentially unchanged in 1 state. This news release presents statistics from two monthly programs. The civilian labor force and unemployment data are modeled based largely on a survey of households. These data pertain to individuals by where they reside.