At 6.4%, Louisiana’s unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percentage points in June—its lowest level since July of last year.
Louisiana was among 21 states to see its unemployment rate fall in June, as widespread job growth and a shrinking workforce reduced the ranks of those out of work. According to new data released this morning by the Labor Department, unemployment rates were unchanged in 17 states in June, while 12 states saw their rate increase.
Employers added jobs in 31 states and cut them in 17, with little change in the remaining two states. The Associated Press reports the figures reflect steady hiring nationwide. Employers added 223,000 jobs in June, and the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.3% from 5.5%. Yet last month’s rate decline occurred because some unemployed gave up looking for work. The jobless aren’t counted as unemployed unless they are actively searching for work.
Nebraska had the lowest unemployment rate in June, at 2.6%, while West Virginia had the highest, at 7.4%.
Louisiana’s rate topped out at 7.2% in December, and has since trickled down to 7% in January, 6.7% in February and had held steady at 6.6% between March and May. In June last year, the unemployment rate here was 6.2%.
