April 1996 — 1996-05-29

Unemployment rates were little changed in most states in April, as 44 states recorded changes of 0.3 percentage point or less, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The national unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in April, down from 5.6 percent in March. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 21 states over the month. Only two states experienced unemployment rate increases of 0.5 percentage point or more. South Carolina's rate climbed 0.6 point to 5.5 percent, and Montana's rate rose 0.5 point to 5.7 percent. Also, only two states showed jobless rate decreases of 0.5 percentage point or more between March and April. The rate in Alaska dropped 0.7 percentage point to 7.2 percent, while Ohio's rate dipped 0.6 point to 4.5 percent. Over the year, 28 states and the District of Columbia recorded unemployment rate declines, while 12 states showed increases.