Regional And State Employment And Unemployment: June 2007 — 2007-07-20

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in June. Overall, 19 states registered over-the-month unemployment rate increases, 17 states recorded decreases, and 14 states and the District of Columbia had no changes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Depart- ment of Labor reported today. Over the year, jobless rates declined in 27 states and the District of Columbia, rose in 18 states, and were unchanged in 5 states. The national unemployment rate was unchanged in June at 4.5 percent. In June, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 41 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 7 states, and remained unchanged in 2 states. The largest employment increases were recorded in Illinois (+12,400), North Caro- lina (+11,400), New York (+10,100), and Ohio (+9,600). Alaska posted the larg- est over-the-month percentage increase in employment (+1.0 percent), followed by Utah (+0.7 percent), Kansas and Vermont (+0.6 percent each), and New Hamp- shire (+0.5 percent).