Regional And State Employment And Unemployment: July 2005 — 2005-08-19

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in July. Overall, 32 states registered over-the-month unemployment rate in- creases, 10 states and the District of Columbia had decreases, and 8 states had no change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Only two of the increases and four of the decreases exceeded 0.4 percentage point. Over the year, jobless rates were lower in 31 states and the District of Columbia, higher in 16 states, and unchanged in 3 states. In July, the national unemployment rate was unchanged from June at 5.0 percent, but down 0.5 percentage point over the year. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 34 states over the month, decreased in 14 states and the District of Columbia, and was unchanged in 2 states. Florida experienced the largest employment gain (+42,400), followed by California (+29,900), Georgia (+18,600), Arizona (+14,900), Washington (+12,800), and Texas (+12,600).