Unemployment rates were lower in May in 6 states, higher in 2 states, and stable in 42 states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
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Vermont had the lowest unemployment rate in May, 2.1 percent. The rates in Texas (3.5 percent) and Vermont (2.1 percent) set new series lows. (All state series begin in 1976.) Alaska had the highest jobless rate, 6.4 percent.
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Click on graph for larger image.This graph shows the number of states (and D.C.) with unemployment rates at or above certain levels since January 1976.
At the worst of the great recession, there were 11 states with an unemployment rate at or above 11% (red).
Currently only one state, Alaska, has an unemployment rate at or above 6% (dark blue). Note that the series low for Alaska is above 6%. Three states and the D.C. have unemployment rates above 5%; Alaska, Mississippi and New Mexico.
A total of nine states are at the series low.