Unemployment in the US rose again in July, reaching 4.3 percent.
The 0.2 percent rise from June's figures now leaves the rate 0.8 percent higher than July 2023.
State-Specific Unemployment Data
The report shows unemployment rates were higher in 13 states, lower in one state, and stable in 36 states, including the District of Columbia.
Lowest Unemployment Rates: South Dakota reported the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0%, followed closely by Vermont (2.1%) and North Dakota (2.2%). Mississippi also reached a new series low at 2.7%.
Highest Unemployment Rates: The District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate at 5.5%, with Nevada trailing closely at 5.4%.
Notable Decrease: Connecticut was the only state to experience a decrease in its unemployment rate, dropping by 0.3 percentage points.
Over the year, 28 states and the District of Columbia saw increases in unemployment rates, with Rhode Island experiencing the largest increase of 1.8 percentage points. Only two states, Arizona and Mississippi, reported a decrease in their unemployment rates from the previous year.
Nonfarm payroll employment saw minimal changes in July 2024. Employment increased in two states, decreased in one state, and remained stable in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
Job Gains:New York led with an increase of 41,400 jobs (+0.4%), followed by Oregon with 8,500 additional jobs (+0.4%).
Job Losses: Missouri experienced the most significant decline, losing 22,400 jobs (-0.7%).
Year-Over-Year Employment Changes
Over the past year, 28 states reported increases in nonfarm payroll employment, while 22 states and the District of Columbia saw little to no change.
Largest Job Gains: California, Texas, and Florida saw the most significant job increases, with California adding 284,400 jobs, Texas 265,500, and Florida 229,500.
Highest Percentage Increases: South Carolina, Nevada, and Alaska led in terms of percentage increases, with 3.7%, 3.3%, and 3.1% growth, respectively.
The July 2024 data presents a mixed picture of the U.S. labor market. Some states continue to see job growth and low unemployment but others are experiencing rising joblessness. These trends reflect the ongoing challenges and variations in economic recovery across different regions of the country.
