Five US States Saw An Increase In Unemployment In September

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Five US States Saw An Increase In Unemployment In September

Five US states saw a rise in unemployment in September 2024.

In September 2024, unemployment rates fluctuated slightly across the US, with five states seeing higher rates, one state with a lower rate, and the majority remaining stable.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national unemployment rate stood at 4.1%, a small increase from September 2023, when it was 3.8%.

  • Five states and DC saw unemployment rise.
  • One state experienced a decrease.
  • 44 states, along with a DC, showed no significant change.

The report also highlighted a slight increase in jobless rates in 22 states over the past year, with six states showing decreases.

Nonfarm Payroll Employment Trends

Nonfarm payroll employment—a key indicator of job growth—rose in five states and the District of Columbia. However, 45 states reported little to no change in employment figures for the month.

Over the last year, 30 states saw an increase in nonfarm payroll employment, while the other 20 states and D.C. saw minimal changes.

Unemployment Rates

  • Lowest Unemployment Rates:
    • South Dakota (2.0%)
    • Vermont (2.2%)
    • North Dakota (2.3%)
  • Highest Unemployment Rates:
    • District of Columbia (5.7%)
    • Nevada (5.6%)

A total of 23 states recorded lower unemployment rates than the national average of 4.1%, while four states and D.C. had higher rates. The remaining 23 states had rates close to the national figure.

Key Monthly Changes in Unemployment

  • Increases:
    • South Carolina and Utah saw the highest increases (+0.2 percentage points).
  • Decreases:
    • Connecticut had the only notable drop, decreasing by 0.2 percentage points.

For most states, unemployment rates stayed relatively stable compared to August, with only minor numerical changes reported.

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Year-Over-Year Changes in Unemployment

Over the year, unemployment rates in 22 states and DC rose, with South Carolina (+1.5 points) and Rhode Island (+1.4 points) seeing the largest increases. Connecticut experienced the largest decrease at 0.8 percentage points, followed by Arizona with a 0.7-point drop.

Nonfarm Employment Growth

Job growth occurred in five states and DC during September 2024:

  • Top Gains in Employment:
    • New Jersey (+19,200)
    • Colorado (+12,700)
    • Arizona (+11,200)

Idaho had the largest percentage increase in employment (+0.7%), followed by D.C. and Rhode Island, both at 0.6%.

Annual Nonfarm Employment Growth

Over the last year, 30 states experienced growth in nonfarm payrolls, while 20 states and D.C. saw little change. The states with the largest employment increases included:

  • Texas: (+327,400 jobs)
  • California: (+265,300 jobs)
  • Florida: (+204,700 jobs)

Idaho and Montana led the nation in job growth percentage over the year (+3.4% each), followed by South Carolina (+3.3%).

Impact of Hurricane Francine Impact

Hurricane Francine, which struck southern Louisiana in September 2024, coincided with the data collection period for both household and establishment surveys.

Despite the storm, response rates for both surveys remained within normal levels nationally and in affected areas.

Key Takeaways from September 2024 Employment Data

While unemployment rates showed little movement in most states, certain regions experienced noticeable changes. Nonfarm payroll growth also remained steady in select states, with Texas, California, and Florida leading the way in job creation. These trends offer a mixed economic picture but suggest steady employment recovery in various parts of the U.S.

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