A state-by-state report issued today by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC) found that more than half of all states are reporting a drop in their unemployment rates for February.

“As this state-by-state data confirms, momentum in the labor market is continuing,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the JEC. “However, there is clearly more work to be done to make sure everyone shares in our recent economic gains. Unemployment remains a significant challenge for many states. That’s why Congress’s number one priority needs to be creating jobs and growing the middle class, through smart tax reform combined with investments in infrastructure, education, research and more.”

Key statistics from the report include:

The report, entitled “Understanding the Economy: State Economic Snapshots,” provides new state-level data for February, based on information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released in March. The data provide information about how the economic recovery is unfolding in all 50 states, including state-specific data on employment, housing prices, housing starts, household income and exports.

To read the executive summary of the report, click here.

To see individual state snapshots, click here.

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Joint Economic Committee Democrats Chairman - Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

Labor Market Gains in February

JEC Releases State-by-State Economic Snapshots

April 1, 2015

2015 Data through February Shows Broad-based Labor Market Recovery

WASHINGTON, DC—The labor market recovery from the Great Recession is showing encouraging gains, with 35 states and the District of Columbia adding private-sector jobs in February, according to new economic data.

A state-by-state report issued today by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC) found that more than half of all states are reporting a drop in their unemployment rates for February.

“As this state-by-state data confirms, momentum in the labor market is continuing,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the JEC. “However, there is clearly more work to be done to make sure everyone shares in our recent economic gains. Unemployment remains a significant challenge for many states. That’s why Congress’s number one priority needs to be creating jobs and growing the middle class, through smart tax reform combined with investments in infrastructure, education, research and more.”

Key statistics from the report include:

  • Private-sector jobs were up in 35 states and the District of Columbia in February; private-sector positions have increased over the past 12 months in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
  • Unemployment rates declined in 26 states in February, with Oregon (-0.5 percentage point) and Michigan (-0.4 percentage point) reporting the largest decreases.
  • The District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate (7.8 percent) and Nebraska had the lowest (2.7 percent) for the month.
  • Construction jobs were added in two-thirds of states in February, with California (11,200), Colorado and North Carolina (3,900) reporting the largest increases.
  • Home prices increased in all but two states (Maryland and Vermont) over the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The report, entitled “Understanding the Economy: State Economic Snapshots,” provides new state-level data for February, based on information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released in March. The data provide information about how the economic recovery is unfolding in all 50 states, including state-specific data on employment, housing prices, housing starts, household income and exports.

To read the executive summary of the report, click here.

To see individual state snapshots, click here.

Permalink: https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/democrats/2015/4/labor-market-gains-in-february

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