Jobless Rates Remain or Fall in 32 States

15 states saw their jobless rates below the US rate of 7.3 percent in August. This was according to the report released by the government. North Dakota got the lowest jobless rate in the nation with 3 percent that was attributed to the boom in energy production in the state. Other states with low unemployment rates include South Dakota with 3.8 percent, Nebraska with 4.2 percent, Hawaii with 4.3 percent, Iowa with 4.9 percent, Vermont with 4.6 percent, and Wyoming with 4.6 percent.

Nevada has the highest unemployment rate in the nation with 9.5 percent. Illinois got the second highest rate with 9.2 percent.

The national jobless rate dropped in August from 7.4 percent in July. 18 states as well as the District of Columbia had jobless rate increases last month compared to July. 17 states got decreases and 15 states had no changes. This was according to the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 29 states, dropped in 20 states and the District of Columbia, and remained unchanged in Montana. New York and California were among the top states for monthly job increases. New York added 30,400 jobs, while California added 29,100 jobs. The two states’ jobless rates were above the national average. California has an unemployment rate of 8.9 percent in August. New York got 7.6 percent.

Four states got the highest employment gains year-over-year. These are Texas, California, Florida and New York. Compared with August of 2012, jobs were up 274,700 in Texas, 223,000 in California, 131,400 in Florida, and 92,500 in New York.

Alabama’s unemployment rate increased slightly last month from July but 1.2 percent lower compared to the previous year. Its unemployment rate for August was 6.3 percent. Among the counties with lowest unemployment rates are Shelby County, Lee County and Cullman County.