Forty-six states and D.C. all had September unemployment rates that were lower than a year ago, but the District’s unemployment rate remains high and, when compared to states, is the highest in the nation.
The District’s unemployment rate in September was 4.7%, down from 5.1% in August and much lower than 6.5% a year earlier.
Maryland’s unemployment rate was 4% in September, down from 4.3% in August. Virginia’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.6%.
Minnesota had the lowest September unemployment rate, at 2%, followed by Utah and Vermont, at 2.1% each.
Virginia added 134,700 jobs in the last year, for an annual job growth rate of 3.4%. Maryland gained 88,500 jobs, for a job growth rate of 3.3%.
In the District, the number of jobs rose by 20,100 in the past year, a job growth rate of 2.7%.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics posts monthly state unemployment numbers and changes to civilian workforce online.
