State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release - 2024 M02 Results — 2024-03-22

Unemployment rates were higher in February in 3 states, lower in 3 states, and stable in 44 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-eight states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 3 states had decreases, and 19 states and the District had little change. The national unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage point to 3.9 percent and was 0.3 point higher than in February 2023. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 4 states and was essentially unchanged in 46 states and the District of Columbia in February 2024. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 25 states and was essentially unchanged in 25 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.