FROM the BLS:
Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed in August. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate increases from July, 15 states had decreases, and 11 states had no change . . .
In Maine, the UER ticked up 0.1 percentage points to 5.6% from last month, but more importantly is down 1.1% from a year ago, and down from a recession high of 8.4% in 2009. The month-over-month and year-over-year trends parallel regional changes.
In New England, the UER ticked up to 5.9%, up 0.1 percentage points from last month, and down 1.3 percentage points from a year ago. The northeast (New England and the Middle Atlantic region) saw the UER tick up 0.1 percentage points to 6.2% from July, down 1.4 percentage points from last July.
Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payrolls increased 1,400 from a month ago, and are up 8,100 from a year ago. The year-over-year payroll changes by industry saw government continue to shed jobs, while the majority of new jobs were in leisure and hospitality:
- Construction: 1,800
- Manufacturing: 100
- Trade/Trans./Util.: 1,000
- Financial Activities: 900
- Pro./Bus. Services: 1,600
- Education/Health Svcs: 1,400
- Leisure/Hospitality: 2,800
- Government: -1,300
The number of unemployed persons declined 7,400 from a year ago, an edged up 1,100 from July.
[UPDATE] Here are changes in employment for those industries noted above since the onset of the recession in December, 2007:
*The data is subject to subsequent revisions, and monthly data is volatile and should be taken with a grain of salt. But let the political spin machines commence.”