Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-11-18

Unemployment rates were significantly lower in October in 7 states, higher in 2 states, and stable in 41 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Seven states had notable jobless rate decreases from a year earlier, 5 states had increases, and 38 states and the District had no significant change. The national unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in October, little changed from that of both September 2016 and October 2015. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 11 states in October 2016, decreased in 5 states, and was essentially unchanged in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Over the year, 31 states and the District added nonfarm payroll jobs, 2 states lost jobs, and 17 states were essentially unchanged. In October, no region had an unemployment rate significantly different from the U.S. rate of 4.9 percent. Over the month, no region had a statistically significant unemployment rate change.