Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2008-03-28

Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in February. Overall, 20 states and the District of Columbia recorded over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, 19 states registered increases, and 11 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 26 states and the District of Columbia, down in 20 states, and unchanged in 4 states. The national unemployment rate was essentially unchanged in February at 4.8 percent, but was up from 4.5 percent a year earlier. Between January 2008 and February 2008, employment increased in 23 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in 27 states. California recorded the largest over-the-month increase in employment (+25,800), followed by Texas (+13,500), Washington (+7,400), Virginia (+4,700), and Maryland (+4,300).