The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) today released its data on state and regional unemployment for November. Compared with October data, unemployment rates fell in 45 states and the District of Columbia, while 5 states posted no change.

Compared with November 2011, the data is also better. In that month, 43 states and the District of Columbia showed a drop in unemployment rates, six states posted gains, and one state had no change. The national unemployment rate has fallen from 8.7% in November 2011 to 7.7% this past October.

The two states showing the largest month-over-month job gains were in North Carolina, Florida, and Texas. The largest job losses came in New York, New Jersey, and Indiana. The impact of Hurricane Sandy on New York and New Jersey contributed to the job losses in those states.

The largest year-over-year decline in unemployment rates came in Nevada, down by 2.4%, followed by Mississippi, down 2.1%, and Florida, down 2%.

Month-over-month job gains were highest in North Carolina, which added 30,000 jobs in November. Florida added 24,500 jobs in November and Louisiana added 16,900, while New York lost 33,500 and the District of Columbia lost 5,000 jobs.

Year-over-year, only West Virginia posted a statistically significant loss of jobs, seeing 13,800 jobs disappear. Texas has added 278,800 since November 2011, California has added 268,600 jobs, and Ohio has added 100,400 to lead in job gains.

The job losses in West Virginia are almost certainly due to shutdowns and production slowdowns at some of the state’s coal mines.

The BLS data is available here.

Paul Ausick

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