Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-10-21

Unemployment rates were significantly lower in September in 7 states, higher in 1 state, and stable in 42 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Six states had notable jobless rate decreases from a year earlier, 4 states had increases, and 40 states and the District had no significant change. The national unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in September, little changed from that of both August 2016 and September 2015. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 14 states in September 2016, decreased in 3 states, and was essentially unchanged in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Over the year, 35 states and the District added nonfarm payroll jobs, Wyoming lost jobs, and 14 states were essentially unchanged. In September, the only region with an unemployment rate significantly different from the U.S. rate of 5.0 percent was the Midwest, at 4.6 percent.