July unemployment dips in 17 states, rises in 26
WASHINGTON — The unemployment rate fell in 17 states and the District of Columbia last month, a positive sign even as the pain of joblessness remains widespread.
The Labor Department said Friday that the jobless rate fell in July in New York, Oregon, Minnesota and Virginia, among other states. It increased in 26 states.
While jobs remain scarce, the figures are an improvement from previous months. Only five states saw their unemployment rates drop in June. In May, the jobless rate fell in one state.
The department also said that 21 states added jobs in July, compared with 10 in June.
Still, 15 states and the District of Columbia have unemployment rates above 10 percent. Michigan’s unemployment rate was 15 percent last month, down from 15.2 percent in June. That was the first time any state’s jobless rate had topped 15 percent since 1984.
A New York state official credited the Obama administration’s $787 billion stimulus package for the improvement. Peter Neenan said federal stimulus-funded projects helped boost employment in the construction sector.
Neenan also said there was an increase in the number of young people hired for government-funded summer jobs. New York’s unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent from 8.7 percent in June.
The other states that saw their jobless rates fall were: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia.
The biggest drops were in Vermont, where the rate fell to 6.8 percent from 7.3 percent, and in Minnesota, where it dropped to 8.1 percent from 8.4 percent.
The largest job gains occurred in New York, which added 62,100 jobs; Michigan, with 38,100; Texas, with 37,900; Tennessee, with 15,600 and the District, with 13,200.
Minnesota added 10,300 jobs, the first gains in the state in almost a year, while Vermont saw its payrolls increase by 900.
Nationwide, the unemployment rate fell to 9.4 percent in July from 9.5 percent in June.
Related News
42 US states lose jobs in August, up from 29 in JulySeptember 18th, 2009 42 US states lose jobs in August, up from JulyWASHINGTON — Forty-two states lost jobs last month, up from 29 in July, with the biggest net payroll cuts coming in Texas, Michigan, Georgia and Ohio. The Labor Department also reported Friday that 27 states saw their unemployment rates increase in August, and 14 states and Washington D.C., reported unemployment rates of 10 percent or above.
Summary Box: 42 states lose jobs in August, up from 29 in the previous monthSeptember 18th, 2009 Summary Box: 42 states lose jobs in AugustSTATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT: Forty-two states suffered net job losses last month, up from 29 in July, the Labor Department said. Twenty-seven states saw their unemployment rates rise in August; 16 reported a drop.
Unemployment rate in Calif climbs to 11.9 percent in July, up from 11.6 percentAugust 21st, 2009 Unemployment rate in Calif climbs to 11.9 pctSACRAMENTO, Calif. — California's unemployment rate climbed to 11.9 percent in July, the highest number in modern record-keeping.
Jobless rates drop in 17 states in July; stimulus, auto industry rebound put people to workAugust 21st, 2009 17 states see unemployment rates drop in JulyWASHINGTON — A rebound in the auto industry and federal stimulus money helped lower unemployment rates in many of the 17 states that reported drops in July — a hopeful sign after only five states had seen their jobless rates dip in June. Still, the Labor Department report Friday showed that joblessness remains widespread as 26 states reported higher unemployment rates.
Meltdown 101: State unemployment report: Is the glass half-full, or half-empty?August 21st, 2009 Meltdown 101: State unemployment, by the numbersWASHINGTON — Texas added the third-highest number of jobs among the states last month — but its unemployment rate still jumped because thousands of jobless people streamed into the work force. That's typical of the Labor Department's July state employment report, which includes a wealth of good news and bad news — often from the same state.
Unemployment rate in California climbs to 11.9 percent in July, up from 11.6 percentAugust 21st, 2009 California unemployment rate climbs to 11.9 pct.SAN FRANCISCO — California's unemployment rate climbed to 11.9 percent in July, the highest number in modern record-keeping. That's an increase from 11.6 percent in June and considerably higher than the jobless rate of 7.3 percent a year ago.
Summary Box: 17 states report lower unemployment rates; 26 see increasesAugust 21st, 2009 Summary Box: 17 states see lower jobless ratesWHAT HAPPENED: Seventeen states saw their unemployment rates decline in July, while 26 reported increases. Though joblessness is still widespread, that's an improvement from June, when only five saw a drop.
Canadian economy sheds 45,000 jobs in July, unemployment rate steady at 8.6 pctAugust 7th, 2009 Canada sheds 45,000 jobs in JulyTORONTO — Canada lost a more-than-expected 45,000 jobs in July. Statistics Canada said Friday the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.6 percent, an 11-year-high.
Pace of layoffs is expected to slow further as fewer file claims for jobless benefitsAugust 6th, 2009 As jobless claims fall, layoffs could slow furtherWASHINGTON — In a positive sign for the economy, companies are laying off fewer workers as they prepare to ramp up production to replenish their depleted stockpiles of goods. Many analysts pointed to Thursday's drop in jobless claims as evidence of a trend signaling fewer job losses in coming months, particularly compared with the flood of layoffs earlier this year.
Summary Box: Jobless claims drop in positive sign for economyAugust 6th, 2009 Summary Box: Jobless claims drop as layoffs slowWHAT HAPPENED: The government said Thursday that initial jobless claims fell to 550,000 last week from 588,000 the previous week. While still high, new claims have dropped by about 50,000 in the past month.
New jobless claims plunge to 565,000; continuing claims rise to new record near 6.9 millionJuly 9th, 2009 565K new jobless claims, lowest level since Jan.WASHINGTON — The number of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for jobless benefits last week fell to lowest level since early January, largely due to changes in the timing of auto industry layoffs. Continuing claims, meanwhile, unexpectedly jumped to a record-high.
Summary Box: Layoffs slow, but jobless rate rises to 9.4 percent and will move higherJune 6th, 2009 Summary Box: Layoffs slow as recession easesJOB CUTS SLOW: Employers cut 345,000 jobs last month, the fewest since September and the fourth straight month that the pace of layoffs slowed. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES: The jobless rate rose to 9.4 percent, from 8.9 percent in April.
Summary Box: Jobless claims dip, but unemployment rate expected to keep risingJune 4th, 2009 Summary Box: Jobless claims dip, but work scarceJOBLESS CLAIMS EASE: The number of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for unemployment insurance fell Thursday, and so did the total number of people on the jobless benefit rolls. JOBS STILL SCARCE: Still, the drops were small and there is little indication companies are hiring.
Even as layoffs slow, job openings remain scarce as companies reluctant to take on new workersMay 12th, 2009 Job openings scarce even as layoffs slowWASHINGTON — Companies may be laying off workers at a slower pace, but that doesn't mean more businesses are hiring. There were 2.7 million jobs available nationwide in March, according to a government report released Tuesday, down from 3 million in February and 4 million a year ago.
Job losses slow to 539,000 in April; jobless rate rises to 8.9 percent, highest since 1983May 8th, 2009 Layoffs slow to 539K in April; jobless rate risesWASHINGTON — The pace of layoffs slowed in April, with employers cutting 539,000 jobs, the fewest in six months. But the unemployment rate climbed to 8.9 percent as many businesses remained wary of hiring given all the economic and financial uncertainties.
Loading ...