Sept. unemployment rates fall in 31 states

Unemployment rates fell in 31 states in September as the labor market rebounded after softening in August.

Joblessness increased in eight states and was unchanged in 11 states and the District of Columbia, the Labor Department said Tuesday.

Last month, the jobless rate also declined sharply in several states, tumbling to 4.7% from 5.1% in Colorado; to 6.7% from 7.1% in Kentucky; and to 7.3% from 7.6% in Nevada. Nevada, which had the highest unemployment for much of the recovery, has seen its rate fall dramatically over the past year from 9.6%, in part because the improving economy bolstered tourism.

Unemployment also fell noticeably last month in Florida, Idaho, Minnesota and New York.

Georgia had the highest rate at 7.9%. North Dakota, still reaping the benefits of an oil boom, continued to have the lowest, 2.8%.

Eight states plus the District of Columbia had unemployment rates above 7% while four enjoyed rates under 4%.

Nationally, the jobless rate fell to 5.9% in September from 6.1% in August and employers added 248,000 jobs. In August, 180,000 jobs were added and unemployment rose in 24 states.

Thirty-nine states saw employment increases in September, led by Texas' gains of 36,400. Illinois added 19,300 while Colorado followed with 14,600.

Compared with a year earlier, North Dakota has the largest percentage gain in jobs — 5.1% — followed by Texas, 3.7%, and Utah, 3.6%.