June jobless rates rise in 28 states

Doug Carroll | USA TODAY

Unemployment rates rose in more than half the states in June and fell in only 11, the government reports.

Jobless rates were unchanged from May in 11 states and the District of Columbia.

The national jobless rate also was the same as in May — 7.6%. Nineteen states had rates significantly lower than that while nine states and the District of Columbia had measurably higher rates, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The states ranking at the top and bottom in joblessness also didn't change. Nevada again had the nation's highest unemployment rate in June at 9.6% and North Dakota, at 3.1%, had the lowest.

Compared with a year ago, 37 states and the District of Columbia show lower unemployment rates.

By that measure, California stands out for most improved — its jobless rate has fallen 2.1 percentage points in a year to 8.5%. Other benchmarks also show growing strength in California.

The state ranks second — behind Texas — in employment growth year-over-year. It gained 253,900 jobs since June 2012 compared with Texas' 303,000.

By a wide margin, California also was the nation's leader in monthly job growth, gaining 30,200 jobs in June. Pennsylvania ranked second with an increase of 19,100 jobs from May.

June's numbers show significant declines in jobs in two states. Tennessee had 16,500 fewer jobs than in May and West Virginia was down 5,000 jobs.

The government's monthly report on state unemployment was released Thursday, a day earlier than scheduled, after some tables were inadvertently posted on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Contributing: Barbara Hansen