In 2011 unemployment rates declined across 48 states
In its February 29 “Annual Regional and State Unemployment” news release, the Bureau of Labor Statistics had more good news to report regarding declining unemployment rates. Through 2011, annual average unemployment rates declined in 48 states and rose in only 2 states (Arkansas with a 7.9 jobless rate in 2010 and 8.0 rate in 2011); Mississippi (from 10.5 in 2010 to 10.7 in 2011) and the District of Columbia from (10.1 in 2010 to 10.2 in 2011). Employment-population ratios decreased in 24 states and the District of Columbia, increased in 19 states, and remained unchanged in 7 states. The national ratio continued to move down to 58.4 percent in 2011.
Regional Unemployment
In 2011, 30 states posted statistically significant unemployment rate decreases, the largest of which was in Michigan (-2.4 percentage points). Four additional states experienced decreases greater than 1.0 percentage point: Ohio (-1.4 points), Utah (-1.3 points), Oregon (-1.2 points), and Indiana (-1.1 points).
Northeast
The Northeast tied with the South in the third greatest regional decline in unemployment (-0.5 point each). The Northeast at 8.2, had rates significantly below the national rate of 8.9.
- New England Division (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont): The New England region with an overall unemployment over-the-year reduction of -0.8 was second to the East North Central division for the largest decreases in 2011.
- Mid–Atlantic Division (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania): The Middle Atlantic also had rates significantly below the national average at 8.3.
Midwest
The Midwest experienced the greatest decline (-1.1 percentage points) in unemployment. The Midwest, at 8.4, had rates significantly below the national figure of 8.9. In fact, the East North Central division had the most significant reduction (-1.3) in the country.
- East North Central Division (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin): Michigan moved from the country’s second highest 12.7 unemployment rate in 2010 to 10.3 in 2011, the largest drop in the country. For the most part, this is attributed to a rebound in auto sales and to the fact that many unemployed workers have moved out of the state. Ohio also had a significant drop from a 10.0 rate in 2010 to 8.6 in 2011 for a reduction of -1.4.
- West North Central Division (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota): The West North Central division again posted the lowest jobless rate, 6.6 percent down from a low 7.3 in 2010. Thanks to oil resources, agriculture and manufacturing, North Dakota still has the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 3.5 down from 2010’s 3.8.
South
The South tied with the Northeast for the third greatest regional decline in unemployment (-0.5 point each).
- South Atlantic Division (Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia): The third highest divisional unemployment rate was the South Atlantic at 9.3 down from 9.9 in 2010.
- East South Central Division (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee): The second highest unemployment rate in the country was in the East South Central (9.4) division which was significantly above the U.S. average of 8.9. On the positive side, this number is still lower than the 9.9 posted in 2010.
- West South Central Division (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas): The West South Central division, however, with an overall unemployment rate of 7.7 had rates significantly below the national figure of 8.9.
West
The West, at 10.4 percent, was the only region with a jobless rate significantly higher than that of the U.S. in 2011.
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