State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release - 2022 M12 Results — 2023-01-24

Unemployment rates were higher in December in 7 states, lower in 5 states, and stable in 38 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirty-five states and the District had jobless rate decreases from a year earlier, 4 states had increases, and 11 states had little change. The national unemployment rate edged down to 3.5 percent over the month and was 0.4 percentage point lower than in December 2021. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 1 state and was essentially unchanged in 49 states and the District of Columbia in December 2022. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 42 states and was essentially unchanged in 8 states and the District. 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.