BLS: R.I. among states with significantly different jobless rates over the year in February

RHODE ISLAND'S unemployment rate in February at 4.5 percent was lower than the national unemployment rate of 4.7 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
RHODE ISLAND'S unemployment rate in February at 4.5 percent was lower than the national unemployment rate of 4.7 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February at 4.5 percent was 0.9 percentage points lower than it was in February 2016, putting it among the top 10 states with significantly different rates over the year, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday.

The state with the lowest jobless rate last month was New Hampshire at 2.7 percent, while New Mexico had the highest rate at 6.8 percent. The national unemployment rate in February was 4.7 percent, making Rhode Island among 25 states with rates not much different than that of the nation.

The rest of the New England states reported the following unemployment rates in February:

  • Connecticut, 4.7 percent
  • Massachusetts, 3.4 percent
  • Maine, 3.2 percent
  • Vermont, 3 percent

Rhode Island’s unemployed fell to 24,984 in February from 29,843 in February 2016, while the civilian labor force was even over the year at 552,212.

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Thirty-one states had statistically significant over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment in February, with the largest job gains in California (+315,800), Florida (+248,800), and Texas (+222,400). The largest percentage gains occurred in Idaho (+3.6 percent), Utah (+3.3 percent) and Nevada (+3.2 percent). Two states had significant over-the-year declines in employment: Wyoming (-7,200, or -2.5 percent) and Alaska (-6,700, or -2 percent).

Rhode Island’s nonfarm employment totaled 495,200 in February, a 1.3 percent increase over February 2016’s 489,300.

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