Despite all the chatter of a slowing job market, unemployment was down in a majority of U.S. states in April.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released last week, 16 states had unemployment rates lower in April as compared to last year and 14 states had month-over-month decreases. Furthermore, with the exception of Rhode Island, all U.S. states plus the District of Columbia reported more people working this April than last year.
Additionally, 17 states had unemployment rates lower than the national average of 3.4%.
South Dakota had the lowest level of unemployment in April at 1.9%, followed by Nebraska at 2%, and New Hampshire and North Dakota (both at 2.1%).
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Despite Nevada having the highest unemployment rate in the country (5.4%), it conversely had the biggest increase in employment year-over-year at 4.2%. New Mexico, which had an unemployment rate slightly above the national average at 3.5%, also had the biggest year-over-year decline in unemployment, with a decrease of 0.8%.
Here are the 15 states where unemployment was the lowest last month across the country:
1. South Dakota
Unemployment rate: 1.9%
Year-over-year percent change: 0.0%
Year-over-year employment increase: 2.5%
2. Nebraska
Unemployment rate: 2%
Year-over-year percent change: 0.0%
Year-over-year employment increase: 2.1%
3. New Hampshire
Unemployment rate: 2.1%
Year-over-year percent change: -0.3%
Year-over-year employment increase: 2.1%
4. North Dakota
Unemployment rate: 2.1%
Year-over-year percent change: 0.1%
Year-over-year employment increase: 2.1%
5. Alabama
Unemployment rate: 2.2%
Year-over-year percent change: -0.3%
Year-over-year employment increase: 2%
6. Montana
Unemployment rate: 2.3%
Year-over-year percent change: -0.3%
Year-over-year employment increase:
7. Utah
Unemployment rate: 2.3%
Year-over-year percent change: 0.1%
Year-over-year employment increase: 2.8%
8. Maine
Unemployment rate: 2.4%
Year-over-year percent change: -0.3%
Year-over-year employment increase: 1.2%
9. Vermont
Unemployment rate: 2.4%
Year-over-year percent change: 0.2%
Year-over-year employment increase: 1.9%
10. Wisconsin
Unemployment rate: 2.4%
Year-over-year percent change: -0.4%
Year-over-year employment increase: 1.7%
11. Maryland
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
Year-over-year percent change: -0.6%
Year-over-year employment increase: 1.5%
12. Missouri
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
Year-over-year percent change: 0.2%
Year-over-year employment increase: 2.1%
13. Florida
Unemployment rate: 2.6%
Year-over-year percent change: -0.4%
Year-over-year employment increase: 3.9%
14. Idaho
Unemployment rate: 2.6%
Year-over-year percent change: 0.1%
Year-over-year employment increase: 3.1%
15. Iowa
Unemployment rate: 2.7%
Year-over-year percent change: 0.4%
Year-over-year employment increase: 1.7%