Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2012-09-21

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in August. Twenty-six states recorded unemployment rate increases, 12 states and the District of Columbia posted rate decreases, and 12 states had no change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Forty-two states and the District of Columbia registered unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier, seven states experienced increases, and one had no change. The national jobless rate edged down to 8.1 percent from July and was 1.0 percentage point lower than in August 2011. In August 2012, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 28 states, decreased in 21 states and the District of Columbia, and was unchanged in Colorado. The largest over-the-month increase in employment occurred in Texas (+38,000), followed by Florida (+23,200) and Missouri (+17,900). The largest over-the-month decreases in employment occurred in Virginia (-12,400), the District of Columbia (-11,200), and Washington (-8,800).