Unemployment in US – New series lows in Alabama (3.7 percent), North Dakota (2.4 percent), Tennessee (3.2 percent) and Vermont (2.4 percent)

Unemployment rates were lower in February in 4 states and stable in 46
states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported today. Seven states had jobless rate decreases from a year
earlier, 2 states had increases, and 41 states and the District had
little or no change. The national unemployment rate declined to 3.8
percent over the month and was 0.3 percentage point lower than in
February 2018.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 2 states in February 2019 and
was essentially unchanged in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
Over the year, 22 states added nonfarm payroll jobs and 28 states and
the District were essentially unchanged.

Unemployment

Iowa, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Vermont had the lowest
unemployment rates in February, 2.4 percent each. The rates in Alabama
(3.7 percent), North Dakota (2.4 percent), Tennessee (3.2 percent),
and Vermont (2.4 percent) set new series lows. (All state series begin
in 1976.) Alaska had the highest jobless rate, 6.5 percent. In total,
16 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 3.8
percent, 9 states and the District of Columbia had higher rates, and
25 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of
the nation.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at State Employment and Unemployment Summary