WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- The Department of Labor said Friday that state unemployment rates were little changed in September, although almost half the states showed improvements.
Twenty-three states and the nation's capital had unemployment rates drop in September, while 16 states reported rates unchanged and 11 reported rates increased, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
In September, California lost the most non-farm jobs, losing 63,500. New York followed, losing 37,600. Massachusetts was next with a loss of 20,900 jobs.
The largest month-to-month gains were in Washington, D.C., with an additional 16,500 jobs in September. North Carolina added 10,100 jobs in the month. Illinois, next on the list, added 8,600.
The highest unemployment rate among the states in September was posted by Nevada, where the unemployment rate is 14.4 percent. In Michigan, unemployment is 13 percent. In California, with the third highest rate, 12.4 percent are unemployed.
Across the country, the unemployment rate is 9.6 percent.
Four states have unemployment rates under 6 percent. In South Dakota the rate is 4.4 percent. Nebraska's unemployment rate is 4.6 percent. Vermont and New Hampshire have unemployment rates of 5.8 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively.
