Regional And State Employment And Unemployment: November 2005 — 2005-12-16

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in November. Overall, 25 states registered over-the-month unemployment rate increases, 19 states recorded decreases, and 6 states and the District of Columbia had no change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Depart- ment of Labor reported today. Over the year, jobless rates were down in 26 states and the District of Columbia, up in 20 states, and unchanged in 4 states. In November, the national unemployment rate was unchanged from October at 5.0 percent, but was down by 0.4 percentage point from a year earlier. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 42 states and the District of Columbia over the month, decreased in 6 states, and was unchanged in 2 states. California experienced the largest employment gain (+20,400), followed by Florida (+17,900), Texas (+17,300), and Louisiana (+14,600).