Key Points:
- Unemployment rates fell in August in 41 states, rose in 2 states, and remained stable in 7 states as the U.S. unemployment rate fell by 1.8% points over the month to 8.4%.
- Nevada had the highest unemployment rate in August at 13.2%, followed by Rhode Island at 12.8%, and Hawaii and New York at 12.5%.
- 29 states had jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 8.4%. Nebraska had the lowest rate at 4.0%, followed by Utah at 4.1%, and Idaho at 4.2%.
- The largest unemployment rate decreases occurred in Massachusetts and Arizona, with 4.9% and 4.8% decreases.
- Kentucky and Rhode Island had the highest increase in unemployment rates with 3.1% and 1.5% increases respectively.