U.S. Unemployment Rates Down in 30 states in September

October 21, 2o2o

For the month of September, jobless rates were lower in 30 states, higher in 8 states, and unchanged in 12 states and the District of Columbia based on a report by the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS). All fifty states and the District had jobless rate increases from last year. There was a 0.5 percentage point decrease in the national unemployment rate to 7.9% over the month but was 4.4 percentage points higher than in September 2019.

In addition, “nonfarm payroll employment increased in 30 states, decreased in 3 states, and was essentially unchanged in 17 states and the District of Columbia in September 2020. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 48 states and the District and was essentially unchanged in 2 states,” as stated by the BLS.

Unemployment rates

Notably, Hawaii exhibited the highest jobless rate in September, 15.1%, followed by Nevada, 12.6%. The rates in Nebraska (3.5%), South Dakota (4.1%), and Vermont (4.2%) were the lowest. In total, 27 states experienced unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 7.9%, 8 states had higher rates, and 15 states and the District of Columbia experienced unemployment rates that were not noticeably different from that of the nation.

For September, New Jersey had the largest over-the-month unemployment rate decrease by 4.4 percentage points. Rates decreased over the month by at least 2.0 percentage points in an additional 6 states. Hawaii (+2.1 percentage points) and Idaho (+1.9 points) observed the largest over the month unemployment rate.

Furthermore, the largest jobless rate increases from September 2019 were observed in Hawaii (+12.4 percentage points) and Nevada (+8.9 points). Moreover, the smallest jobless rate increases over the year were recorded in Nebraska (+0.5 percentage point) and South Dakota (+0.7 point).

Nonfarm Payroll Employment

In September 2020, nonfarm payroll employment rose in 30 states and was stable in 17 states and the District of Columbia. The largest increases in employment occurred in New York (+109,300), California (+96,000), and New Jersey (+60,200). The largest percentage increases were recorded in New Jersey (+1.6%), followed by New York and Wyoming (+1.3% each).; However, employment declined in Indiana (-11,700, or -0.4%), Hawaii (-10,700, or -2.0%), and Kansas (-7,200, or -0.5%).

Moreover, according to BLS, “over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased in 48 states and the District of Columbia and was essentially unchanged in 2 states. The largest job declines occurred in California (-1,488,900), New York (-1,102,800), and Texas (-583,600). The smallest declines occurred in South Dakota (-13,000), Wyoming (-16,100), and Montana (-17,700). The largest percentage declines occurred in Hawaii (-18.4%), New York (-11.2%), and Michigan and Vermont (-9.6% each). The smallest percentage declines occurred in Mississippi (-2.2%), Nebraska (-2.5%), and South Dakota (-2.9%).”

Disclaimer:

Analyst Certification -The views expressed in this research report accurately reflect the personal views of Mayberry Investments Limited Research Department about those issuer (s) or securities as at the date of this report. Each research analyst (s) also certify that no part of their compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendation(s) or view (s) expressed by that research analyst in this research report.

Company Disclosure -The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. You are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Mayberry may effect transactions or have positions in securities mentioned herein. In addition, employees of Mayberry may have positions and effect transactions in the securities mentioned herein.

More Stories from the Market
shutterstock_453968572
February 27, 2026   LASCO Distributors Limited (LASD) has advised that Mr. John De Silva has resigned as Managing Director of the Company e…
shutterstock_453968572
February 27, 2026   Kingston Properties Limited (KPREIT) has advised that at a meeting of its Board of Directors held on February 24, 2026,…
shutterstock_148562033
February 27, 2026   JMMB Group Limited (JMMBGL) has advised that JMMB’s Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) sold 104,814 JMMBGL shares on …
shutterstock_609342323
February 27, 2026   Productive Business Solutions Limited (PBS) has declared dividends to the Perpetual Cumulative Redeemable Preference Sh…
shutterstock_609342323
February 27, 2026   Carreras Limited (CAR) has declared an interim dividend of $0.40 per stock unit payable on April 20, 2026, to stockhold…
shutterstock_453968572
February 27, 2026 United States: US Producer Prices Rise 0.5%, Exceeding Forecast on Services   Prices paid to US producers rose in Januar…
shutterstock_609342323
February 26, 2026   Eppley Limited (EPLY) has declared a final dividend of $0.97 per stock unit payable on March 27, 2026, to stockholders …
shutterstock_148562033
February 26, 2026   Image Plus Consultants Limited (IPCL) has advised that connected parties purchased a total of 22,000 IPCL shares on Feb…