February 26, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Average unemployment down for most States in 2000

Compared with 1999, annual average unemployment rates in 2000 were lower in 33 States and the District of Columbia, higher in 16 states, and unchanged in 1 state. The U.S. jobless rate decreased from 4.2 percent to 4.0 percent over the year.

[Chart data—TXT]

The States posting the largest declines were Hawaii (-1.3 percentage points), West Virginia (-1.1 points), and Wyoming (-1.0 point). Twelve additional States plus the District of Columbia recorded decreases of at least 0.5 percentage point. 

The largest rate increases occurred in Kansas (0.7 percentage point) and Mississippi (0.6 point). Four other States had increases of 0.5 percentage point each.

Data on State unemployment are a product of the Local Area Unemployment Statistics program. Figures in the chart represent the 50 States plus the District of Columbia. See more about last year’s developments in State and Regional Unemployment, 2000 Annual Averages, news release USDL 01-50.