Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2010-03-26

Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed or slightly higher in February. Twenty-seven states recorded over-the-month unem- ployment rate increases, 7 states and the District of Columbia regis- tered rate decreases, and 16 states had no rate change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the year, jobless rates increased in 46 states and the District of Columbia and declined in 4 states. The national unemployment rate in February, 9.7 percent, remained unchanged from January, but was up from 8.2 percent a year earlier. In February, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 27 states and the District of Columbia and increased in 23 states. The largest over-the- month decreases in employment occurred in Virginia (-32,600), followed by California (-20,400), Michigan and Pennsylvania (-16,000 each), Mary- land (-13,800), and Texas (-13,000).