| More

Alabama, Michigan Report Largest Unemployment Rate Declines

Posted By | January 24, 2012



Unemployment rates fell in 37 states in December, mirroring the gradual decline in the nation's jobless rate.

The new figures, released Tuesday by the Labor Department, showed slight employment gains in several states.

The largest drop in the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate occurred in Alabama, falling from 8.7 percent in November to 8.1 percent last month. The state was followed by Michigan, where the rate decreased 0.5 percent to 9.3 percent in December.

Monthly unemployment rate declines for 18 states were considered statistically significant. Only three states recorded monthly increases.

When comparing regional numbers, unemployment rates are highest in the western U.S., at 9.7 percent. Rates are lowest, 7.9 percent, in the Midwest and Northeast, according to the Labor Department.

Nevada remains home to the nation's highest unemployment rate, recorded at 12.6 percent for December. But the state's economy is recovering. The jobless rate is down 2.3 percent from December 2010 -- the largest year-over-year decline.

View updated figures by selecting a state in the dropdown menu below.
Please note that numbers released by the Labor Department, specified in the story, refer to non-farm employees. BLS statistics in the chart refer to all workers.



 


Mike Maciag

Mike Maciag is Data Editor for GOVERNING.

E-mail: mmaciag@governing.com
Twitter: @mmaciag

Comments



Add Your Comment

You are solely responsible for the content of your comments. GOVERNING reserves the right to remove comments that are considered profane, vulgar, obscene, factually inaccurate, off-topic, or considered a personal attack.

Comments must be fewer than 2000 characters.

GOVERNING By the Numbers is a companion to GOVERNING Data that digests the growing body of work at the intersection of computer-assisted journalism, data visualization and government transparency.

GOVERNING By the Numbers is dedicated to telling important stories through numbers, with a focus on both our original work in data visualization on GOVERING Data and providing an ongoing tally of editor's picks of new and notable data releases of use to those in government and those who care about it.

RSS Go to GOVERNING Data Contact

Latest From By the Numbers



© 2011 e.Republic, Inc. All Rights reserved.    |   Privacy Policy   |   Site Map