Regional And State Employment And Unemployment: September 2005 — 2005-10-21

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in September, with the exceptions of Louisiana and Mississippi, the two states most affected by Hurricane Katrina. Overall, 31 states registered over-the- month unemployment rate increases, 15 states and the District of Columbia recorded decreases, and 4 states had no change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. In contrast, jobless rates were lower over the year in 29 states and the District of Columbia, higher in 18 states, and unchanged in 3 states. The national unemployment rate rose from 4.9 percent in August to 5.1 percent in September, but was down by 0.3 percentage point over the year. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 28 states in September and decreased in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Florida experienced the largest employment gain (+17,700), followed by New York (+16,700), Texas (+15,100), Indiana (+9,200), Pennsylvania (+8,300), and Michigan (+8,100).