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 http://www.bls.gov/lau/

Media contact: 691-5902

USDL 07-0305

For release: 10:00 A.M. EST

Friday, March 2, 2007

REGIONAL AND STATE UNEMPLOYMENT, 2006 ANNUAL AVERAGES

Annual average unemployment rates declined between 2005 and 2006 in 43 states and the District

of Columbia and in all 4 regions, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported

today. Employment-population ratios rose in 41 states and the District of Columbia and in all 4 regions.

The U.S. jobless rate fell by 0.5 percentage point to 4.6 percent in 2006, while the national employmentpopulation ratio increased by 0.4 percentage point to 63.1 percent.

Regional Unemployment

All four regions registered statistically significant declines in their jobless rates from 2005. (See table 1.)

The West recorded the largest unemployment rate decrease (-0.6 percentage point), and the South and

Midwest had the next largest declines (-0.5 and -0.4 percentage point, respectively). The South reported the

lowest jobless rate in 2006, 4.5 percent, while the Midwest recorded the highest rate for the second

consecutive year, 5.0 percent. The Midwest and South were the only two regions to register jobless rates

that were significantly different from that of the nation. The range between the highest and lowest regional

unemployment rates edged down to 0.5 percentage point from 0.6 point in 2005. The last time the range

between regional unemployment rates was this small was in 1990.

Eight of the nine geographic divisions—all but New England—posted statistically significant over-the-year

unemployment rate declines in 2006. The Mountain and West South Central reported the largest rate decreases (-0.7 percentage point each). The divisions with the next largest declines were the East North Central, East South Central, Pacific, and West North Central (-0.5 percentage point each). Six divisions had

jobless rates that were significantly different from that of the nation. Three divisions reported rates that were

measurably lower than that of the U.S.—the Mountain at 3.9 percent and South Atlantic and West North

Central at 4.1 percent each. Three divisions recorded rates that were higher than the U. S. average—the

East North Central at 5.3 percent, East South Central at 5.1 percent, and Pacific at 4.9 percent. The

jobless rate in the Pacific division was the lowest in its series. (All region, division, and state series begin in

1976.)

State Unemployment

Twenty-five states posted unemployment rate decreases from 2005 to 2006 that were statistically significant, and no state registered a significant rate increase over the year. The states with the largest rate declines were Louisiana (-2.7 percentage points), Illinois and Utah (-1.2 points each), New Mexico (-1.1

points), and Mississippi (-1.0 point). Twenty additional states reported significant over-the-year rate

decreases, ranging from -0.4 to -0.9 percentage point. The remaining 25 states and the District of Columbia recorded annual average unemployment rates for 2006 that were not appreciably different from those
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of 2005, even though some had changes that were at least as large numerically as those with statistically significant changes. (See tables A and 1 and chart 1.)

In 2006, Hawaii again reported the lowest unemployment rate among the states, 2.4 percent. Utah had

the next lowest rate, 2.9 percent, followed by Nebraska and Virginia at 3.0 percent each. Twelve additional

states registered annual average unemployment rates below 4.0 percent. Altogether, 20 states had jobless

rates that were significantly below the U.S. rate, while 12 states and the District of Columbia recorded rates

that were appreciably above it. The rates for 18 states were not significantly different from the overall U. S.

rate. The states with the highest unemployment rates in 2006 were Michigan at 6.9 percent, Mississippi at

6.8 percent, Alaska at 6.7 percent, and South Carolina at 6.5 percent. The District of Columbia reported

the next highest rate, 6.0 percent. Eight states posted the lowest annual jobless rates in their series—

Alabama (3.6 percent), Florida (3.3 percent), Idaho (3.4 percent), Louisiana (4.0 percent), Montana (3.2

percent), New Mexico (4.2 percent), Utah (2.9 percent), and West Virginia (4.9 percent). (See table B and

chart 2.)

Regional Employment-Population Ratios

In 2006, all four regions registered statistically significant increases in their employment-population

ratios—the proportion of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years and over with a job. The Midwest

and South posted the largest increases (+0.5 percentage point each). The Midwest at 65.0 percent, was the

only region to report an employment-population ratio that was significantly higher than that of the nation (63.1

percent), while the South at 62.3 percent, and the Northeast at 62.2 percent, had appreciably lower ratios.

Among the nine geographic divisions, four posted over-the-year changes to employment-population ratios

that were statistically significant—all of which were increases. The Mountain division registered the largest

increase (+0.9 percentage point), followed by the South Atlantic (+0.7 point), East North Central (+0.6

point), and East South Central (+0.5 point). In 2006, four divisions recorded employment-population ratios

that were measurably higher than that of the U.S. and four had lower ratios. The West North Central again

reported the highest proportion of employed persons, 68.0 percent, while the East South Central continued

to have the lowest proportion, 59.4 percent.

State Employment-Population Ratios

Twenty-one states posted significant increases in their proportions of employed persons from 2005, and

one state had a significant decline. The states with the largest employment-population ratio increases in 2006

were Illinois and Utah (+1.6 percentage points each) and Colorado (+1.3 points). Eight additional states

recorded over-the-year increases of at least 1.0 percentage point, all of which were significant. Mississippi

was the only state that registered a significant decrease in its employment-population ratio in 2006 (-0.7 percentage point). Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia recorded employment-population ratios that

were not appreciably different from those of the previous year. (See tables C and 2.)

In 2006, 24 states reported employment-population ratios that were significantly higher than that of the

U.S. and 16 states recorded appreciably lower ratios. The remaining states and the District of Columbia had

rates that were essentially the same as the U. S. rate. Among the states with the highest employmentpopulation ratios, five posted rates over 70.0 percent in 2006: Minnesota, 70.6 percent; Nebraska, 70.4

percent; North Dakota and South Dakota, 70.3 percent each; and Utah, 70.1 percent. Among the 16 states

with ratios that were significantly lower than that of the nation, 5 states had ratios below 60.0 percent—West

Virginia, 52.8 percent; Mississippi, 56.0 percent; Louisiana, 59.2 percent; Kentucky, 59.3 percent; and

Alabama, 59.9 percent. (See table D and chart 3.)
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Note

All subnational estimates presented in this release were derived from updated time-series models with

real-time benchmarking to national Current Population Survey (CPS) estimates. Subnational data reflect

revised population controls and model reestimation. Historical data were revised back to 2002. Data for

regions, divisions, states, and the District of Columbia are available back to 1976.

Consistent with the long-standing practice used in this release and the current practice in the monthly

Regional and State Employment and Unemployment releases, the introductory section of this release highlights the direction of the movements in regional and state unemployment rates and employment-population

ratios regardless of their statistical significance. The remainder of the analysis, particularly in comparisons

with the U.S. and over-the-year changes, reflects model-based error measures. BLS uses a 90-percent

confidence level in determining whether changes or differences in subnational unemployment rates and

employment-population ratios are statistically significant. Data for Puerto Rico are derived from a monthly

household survey similar to the CPS and error measures are not available. Model-based error measures

are available on the BLS Web site at http://www.bls.gov/lau/lastderr.htm.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice

phone: 202-691-5200; TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-877-8339.
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Table A. States with statistically significant unemployment rate changes,

2005-06 annual averages

State 2005 2006 Over-the-year

 rate change

United States........................... 5.1 4.6 -0.5

Arizona ................................... 4.6 4.1 -.5

California ................................. 5.4 4.9 -.5

Colorado................................. 5.1 4.3 -.8

Connecticut ............................. 4.9 4.3 -.6

Delaware................................. 4.0 3.6 -.4

Florida .................................... 3.8 3.3 -.5

Georgia ................................... 5.2 4.6 -.6

Idaho ...................................... 4.0 3.4 -.6

Illinois...................................... 5.7 4.5 -1.2

Iowa ....................................... 4.3 3.7 -.6

Kansas.................................... 5.1 4.5 -.6

Louisiana ................................. 6.7 4.0 -2.7

Mississippi............................... 7.8 6.8 -1.0

Montana .................................. 3.9 3.2 -.7

Nebraska ................................ 3.9 3.0 -.9

New Mexico ........................... 5.3 4.2 -1.1

New York .............................. 5.0 4.5 -.5

North Carolina ........................ 5.2 4.8 -.4

Oregon.................................... 6.2 5.4 -.8

South Dakota .......................... 3.7 3.2 -.5

Texas ...................................... 5.4 4.9 -.5

Utah........................................ 4.1 2.9 -1.2

Virginia .................................... 3.5 3.0 -.5

Washington ............................. 5.5 5.0 -.5

Wyoming................................. 3.7 3.2 -.5
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United States......................... 4.6

Alabama ................................ 3.6

Alaska................................... 6.7

Arizona ................................. 4.1

Arkansas............................... 5.3

California ............................... 4.9

Delaware............................... 3.6

District of Columbia .............. 6.0

Florida .................................. 3.3

Hawaii................................... 2.4

Idaho .................................... 3.4

Iowa ..................................... 3.7

Kentucky .............................. 5.7

Maryland ............................... 3.9

Michigan ............................... 6.9

Minnesota ............................. 4.0

Mississippi............................. 6.8

Montana ................................ 3.2

Nebraska .............................. 3.0

Nevada ................................. 4.2

New Hampshire .................... 3.4

North Dakota........................ 3.2

Ohio ...................................... 5.5

Oklahoma ............................. 4.0

Oregon.................................. 5.4

Rhode Island ......................... 5.1

South Carolina ...................... 6.5

South Dakota ........................ 3.2

Tennessee ............................. 5.2

Texas .................................... 4.9

Utah...................................... 2.9

Vermont ................................ 3.6

Virginia .................................. 3.0

Wyoming............................... 3.2

Table B. States with unemployment rates significantly different from that of the U.S., 2006 annual averages

State 2006
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United States........................... 62.7 63.1 0.4

Alabama .................................. 58.8 59.9 1.1

Colorado................................. 68.6 69.9 1.3

Connecticut ............................. 64.0 64.7 .7

Florida .................................... 60.1 61.1 1.0

Illinois...................................... 62.9 64.5 1.6

Iowa ....................................... 68.4 69.4 1.0

Kentucky ................................ 58.6 59.3 .7

Louisiana ................................. 58.5 59.2 .7

Maryland ................................. 65.9 67.0 1.1

Mississippi............................... 56.7 56.0 -.7

Montana .................................. 63.7 64.7 1.0

Nevada ................................... 64.3 65.4 1.1

New Mexico ........................... 60.1 60.8 .7

New York .............................. 59.7 60.2 .5

North Carolina ........................ 62.4 63.2 .8

Ohio ........................................ 62.8 63.2 .4

Rhode Island ........................... 64.0 65.0 1.0

Tennessee ............................... 60.1 60.8 .7

Utah........................................ 68.5 70.1 1.6

Vermont .................................. 68.4 69.2 .8

Virginia .................................... 66.2 66.8 .6

Wyoming................................. 68.1 69.1 1.0

Table C. States with statistically significant employment-population ratio

changes, 2005-06 annual averages

State 2005 2006 Over-the-year

 rate change
7

United States.......................... 63.1

Alabama ................................. 59.9

Alaska.................................... 66.8

Arkansas................................ 60.2

California ................................ 62.1

Colorado................................ 69.9

Connecticut ............................ 64.7

Delaware................................ 64.4

Florida ................................... 61.1

Georgia .................................. 64.8

Hawaii.................................... 64.8

Idaho ..................................... 66.2

Illinois..................................... 64.5

Iowa ...................................... 69.4

Kansas................................... 67.0

Kentucky ............................... 59.3

Louisiana ................................ 59.2

Maryland ................................ 67.0

Michigan ................................ 60.7

Minnesota .............................. 70.6

Mississippi.............................. 56.0

Montana ................................. 64.7

Nebraska ............................... 70.4

Nevada .................................. 65.4

New Hampshire ..................... 68.4

New Mexico .......................... 60.8

New York ............................. 60.2

North Dakota......................... 70.3

Oklahoma .............................. 61.2

Oregon................................... 61.8

Pennsylvania ........................... 61.5

Rhode Island .......................... 65.0

South Carolina ....................... 60.1

South Dakota ......................... 70.3

Tennessee .............................. 60.8

Utah....................................... 70.1

Vermont ................................. 69.2

Virginia ................................... 66.8

West Virginia ......................... 52.8

Wisconsin............................... 67.5

Wyoming................................ 69.1

Table D. States with employment-population ratios significantly different from that of the U.S., 2006 annual averages

State 2006
Table 1. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years of age and over by region, division, and state, 

2005-06 annual averages

(Numbers in thousands)

 United States .............................................................................................................................. 226,082 228,815 149,320 151,428 141,730 144,427 7,591 7,001 5.1 4.6 4.6 - 4.7

Northeast .............................................................................................................................. 42,638 42,866 27,716 27,958 26,381 26,678 1,335 1,280 4.8 4.6 4.4 - 4.7

 New England .............................................................................................................................. 11,188 11,253 7,552 7,635 7,199 7,286 353 349 4.7 4.6 4.3 - 4.8

 Connecticut .............................................................................................................................. 2,708 2,728 1,823 1,844 1,734 1,765 88 79 4.9 4.3 3.9 - 4.7

 Maine .............................................................................................................................. 1,053 1,061 703 711 669 679 34 33 4.8 4.6 4.1 - 5.0

 Massachusetts .............................................................................................................................. 5,056 5,078 3,374 3,404 3,211 3,235 163 170 4.8 5.0 4.5 - 5.5

 New Hampshire .............................................................................................................................. 1,028 1,041 730 737 703 712 26 25 3.6 3.4 3.1 - 3.7

 Rhode Island .............................................................................................................................. 843 842 569 577 540 548 29 30 5.1 5.1 4.7 - 5.6

 Vermont .............................................................................................................................. 499 503 354 361 341 348 12 13 3.4 3.6 3.2 - 4.0

 Middle Atlantic .............................................................................................................................. 31,450 31,613 20,164 20,323 19,182 19,392 982 931 4.9 4.6 4.4 - 4.8

 New Jersey .............................................................................................................................. 6,721 6,767 4,455 4,518 4,256 4,309 199 209 4.5 4.6 4.2 - 5.0

 New York .............................................................................................................................. 15,011 15,070 9,430 9,499 8,960 9,073 470 426 5.0 4.5 4.2 - 4.7

 Pennsylvania .............................................................................................................................. 9,717 9,776 6,279 6,306 5,966 6,010 313 296 5.0 4.7 4.4 - 5.0

Midwest .............................................................................................................................. 50,545 50,934 34,495 34,829 32,624 33,102 1,871 1,727 5.4 5.0 4.8 - 5.1

 East North Central .............................................................................................................................. 35,378 35,620 23,708 23,963 22,328 22,682 1,380 1,281 5.8 5.3 5.1 - 5.6

 Illinois .............................................................................................................................. 9,716 9,799 6,484 6,613 6,113 6,316 371 298 5.7 4.5 4.1 - 4.9

 Indiana .............................................................................................................................. 4,781 4,830 3,227 3,271 3,055 3,109 173 163 5.3 5.0 4.5 - 5.5

 Michigan .............................................................................................................................. 7,760 7,796 5,072 5,081 4,726 4,730 346 351 6.8 6.9 6.4 - 7.4

 Ohio .............................................................................................................................. 8,835 8,870 5,892 5,934 5,547 5,609 345 325 5.9 5.5 5.0 - 5.9

 Wisconsin .............................................................................................................................. 4,285 4,325 3,033 3,063 2,887 2,918 146 145 4.8 4.7 4.3 - 5.1

 West North Central .............................................................................................................................. 15,168 15,315 10,787 10,866 10,296 10,420 491 446 4.6 4.1 3.9 - 4.3

 Iowa .............................................................................................................................. 2,292 2,310 1,640 1,664 1,569 1,603 71 61 4.3 3.7 3.3 - 4.1

 Kansas .............................................................................................................................. 2,073 2,090 1,464 1,466 1,389 1,400 75 66 5.1 4.5 4.1 - 4.9

 Minnesota .............................................................................................................................. 3,951 3,996 2,916 2,939 2,797 2,822 119 117 4.1 4.0 3.6 - 4.3

 Missouri .............................................................................................................................. 4,443 4,490 3,008 3,032 2,848 2,886 160 147 5.3 4.8 4.3 - 5.4

 Nebraska .............................................................................................................................. 1,332 1,343 978 974 940 945 38 29 3.9 3.0 2.6 - 3.3

 North Dakota .............................................................................................................................. 491 493 354 358 342 346 12 12 3.4 3.2 2.9 - 3.6

 South Dakota .............................................................................................................................. 586 593 427 431 412 417 16 14 3.7 3.2 2.9 - 3.5

South .............................................................................................................................. 81,486 82,866 52,958 53,991 50,325 51,587 2,633 2,404 5.0 4.5 4.3 - 4.6

 South Atlantic .............................................................................................................................. 43,108 43,941 28,158 28,893 26,882 27,714 1,276 1,179 4.5 4.1 3.9 - 4.2

 Delaware .............................................................................................................................. 647 659 433 440 416 425 17 16 4.0 3.6 3.2 - 4.0

 District of Columbia .............................................................................................................................. 466 468 314 316 294 297 20 19 6.5 6.0 5.4 - 6.6

 Florida .............................................................................................................................. 13,929 14,221 8,711 8,989 8,376 8,693 335 296 3.8 3.3 3.1 - 3.5

 Georgia .............................................................................................................................. 6,792 6,978 4,622 4,742 4,384 4,522 238 220 5.2 4.6 4.2 - 5.0

 Maryland .............................................................................................................................. 4,279 4,319 2,943 3,009 2,821 2,893 122 117 4.2 3.9 3.6 - 4.2

 North Carolina .............................................................................................................................. 6,587 6,731 4,340 4,465 4,113 4,251 227 214 5.2 4.8 4.4 - 5.2

 South Carolina .............................................................................................................................. 3,244 3,309 2,079 2,126 1,940 1,988 140 138 6.7 6.5 5.9 - 7.1

 Virginia .............................................................................................................................. 5,717 5,804 3,922 3,999 3,786 3,879 136 120 3.5 3.0 2.7 - 3.3

 West Virginia .............................................................................................................................. 1,447 1,453 794 807 754 767 40 40 5.0 4.9 4.3 - 5.6

 East South Central .............................................................................................................................. 13,455 13,623 8,389 8,536 7,921 8,097 468 439 5.6 5.1 4.8 - 5.5

 Alabama .............................................................................................................................. 3,496 3,542 2,140 2,200 2,057 2,121 83 79 3.9 3.6 2.9 - 4.3

 Kentucky .............................................................................................................................. 3,208 3,242 1,999 2,039 1,879 1,922 120 117 6.0 5.7 5.1 - 6.3

 Mississippi .............................................................................................................................. 2,163 2,176 1,330 1,307 1,226 1,219 103 89 7.8 6.8 6.0 - 7.6

 Tennessee .............................................................................................................................. 4,589 4,663 2,920 2,990 2,758 2,836 162 155 5.6 5.2 4.7 - 5.7

 West South Central .............................................................................................................................. 24,922 25,301 16,410 16,562 15,522 15,776 889 786 5.4 4.7 4.5 - 5.0

 Arkansas .............................................................................................................................. 2,120 2,149 1,345 1,365 1,277 1,293 68 72 5.1 5.3 4.7 - 5.9

 Louisiana .............................................................................................................................. 3,314 3,229 2,077 1,990 1,938 1,910 139 80 6.7 4.0 3.3 - 4.7

 Oklahoma .............................................................................................................................. 2,670 2,699 1,705 1,720 1,629 1,651 76 69 4.4 4.0 3.5 - 4.5

 Texas .............................................................................................................................. 16,804 17,224 11,283 11,487 10,677 10,922 606 566 5.4 4.9 4.6 - 5.2

West .............................................................................................................................. 51,449 52,405 34,179 34,816 32,411 33,216 1,768 1,600 5.2 4.6 4.5 - 4.7

 Mountain .............................................................................................................................. 15,236 15,669 10,325 10,698 9,851 10,278 473 420 4.6 3.9 3.7 - 4.1

 Arizona .............................................................................................................................. 4,457 4,625 2,859 2,977 2,727 2,854 132 123 4.6 4.1 3.6 - 4.6

 Colorado .............................................................................................................................. 3,552 3,630 2,568 2,652 2,437 2,537 131 115 5.1 4.3 4.0 - 4.7

 Idaho .............................................................................................................................. 1,063 1,093 727 749 698 724 29 26 4.0 3.4 2.9 - 3.9

 Montana .............................................................................................................................. 728 739 483 494 464 478 19 16 3.9 3.2 2.7 - 3.7

 Nevada .............................................................................................................................. 1,831 1,897 1,230 1,295 1,178 1,241 52 54 4.2 4.2 3.8 - 4.6

 New Mexico .............................................................................................................................. 1,444 1,472 915 935 867 896 48 40 5.3 4.2 3.7 - 4.8

 Utah .............................................................................................................................. 1,768 1,815 1,264 1,311 1,212 1,273 52 38 4.1 2.9 2.6 - 3.3

 Wyoming .............................................................................................................................. 393 399 278 285 268 276 10 9 3.7 3.2 2.8 - 3.6

 Pacific .............................................................................................................................. 36,214 36,736 23,855 24,118 22,560 22,938 1,295 1,180 5.4 4.9 4.7 - 5.1

 Alaska .............................................................................................................................. 477 485 342 347 318 324 24 23 6.9 6.7 6.0 - 7.4

 California .............................................................................................................................. 27,096 27,438 17,740 17,902 16,782 17,029 958 873 5.4 4.9 4.6 - 5.1

 Hawaii .............................................................................................................................. 956 969 631 643 614 628 17 15 2.7 2.4 2.0 - 2.7

 Oregon .............................................................................................................................. 2,849 2,906 1,870 1,899 1,755 1,796 116 103 6.2 5.4 4.9 - 5.9

 Washington .............................................................................................................................. 4,835 4,938 3,270 3,327 3,090 3,160 181 166 5.5 5.0 4.5 - 5.5

Puerto Rico .............................................................................................................................. 2,957 2,982 1,410 1,407 1,250 1,261 160 146 11.3 10.4

 

1

 Error ranges are shown at the 90-percent confidence level and are based on unrounded data. Data for subnational areas reflect revised population controls and model reestimation.

 NA = Data not available. As a result, they will not add to U.S. totals. Data for Puerto Rico are derived from a

 NOTE: Data refer to place of residence. Unemployment rates are based on unrounded levels. monthly household survey similar to the Current Population Survey.

Error range of rate, 

2006 1

NA

Unemployed

2005 2006

Unemployment rate

2005 2006

Region, division, and state

Population Civilian labor force Employed

2005 2006 2005 2006 2005 2006
Table 2. Employment-population ratios of persons 16 years of age and over by region, division, and state,

2005-06 annual averages 

(Percent)

2005 2006

 United States .............................................................................................................................. 62.7 63.1 0.4 62.9 - 63.3

Northeast .............................................................................................................................. 61.9 62.2 .3 61.8 - 62.7

 New England .............................................................................................................................. 64.3 64.7 .4 64.0 - 65.4

 Connecticut .............................................................................................................................. 64.0 64.7 .7 63.5 - 65.9

 Maine .............................................................................................................................. 63.5 64.0 .5 62.8 - 65.2

 Massachusetts .............................................................................................................................. 63.5 63.7 .2 62.6 - 64.8

 New Hampshire .............................................................................................................................. 68.4 68.4 .0 67.4 - 69.4

 Rhode Island .............................................................................................................................. 64.0 65.0 1.0 63.9 - 66.1

 Vermont .............................................................................................................................. 68.4 69.2 .8 68.1 - 70.3

 Middle Atlantic .............................................................................................................................. 61.0 61.3 .3 60.8 - 61.9

 New Jersey .............................................................................................................................. 63.3 63.7 .4 62.7 - 64.6

 New York .............................................................................................................................. 59.7 60.2 .5 59.6 - 60.9

 Pennsylvania .............................................................................................................................. 61.4 61.5 .1 60.7 - 62.3

Midwest .............................................................................................................................. 64.5 65.0 .5 64.6 - 65.4

 East North Central .............................................................................................................................. 63.1 63.7 .6 63.2 - 64.2

 Illinois .............................................................................................................................. 62.9 64.5 1.6 63.5 - 65.4

 Indiana .............................................................................................................................. 63.9 64.4 .5 63.0 - 65.8

 Michigan .............................................................................................................................. 60.9 60.7 -.2 59.7 - 61.6

 Ohio .............................................................................................................................. 62.8 63.2 .4 62.4 - 64.1

 Wisconsin .............................................................................................................................. 67.4 67.5 .1 66.1 - 68.8

 West North Central .............................................................................................................................. 67.9 68.0 .1 67.4 - 68.6

 Iowa .............................................................................................................................. 68.4 69.4 1.0 68.3 - 70.5

 Kansas .............................................................................................................................. 67.0 67.0 .0 65.9 - 68.1

 Minnesota .............................................................................................................................. 70.8 70.6 -.2 69.4 - 71.8

 Missouri .............................................................................................................................. 64.1 64.3 .2 62.9 - 65.6

 Nebraska .............................................................................................................................. 70.6 70.4 -.2 69.3 - 71.5

 North Dakota .............................................................................................................................. 69.7 70.3 .6 68.6 - 71.9

 South Dakota .............................................................................................................................. 70.2 70.3 .1 69.1 - 71.5

South .............................................................................................................................. 61.8 62.3 .5 61.9 - 62.6

 South Atlantic .............................................................................................................................. 62.4 63.1 .7 62.6 - 63.5

 Delaware .............................................................................................................................. 64.2 64.4 .2 63.3 - 65.6

 District of Columbia .............................................................................................................................. 63.1 63.4 .3 62.1 - 64.7

 Florida .............................................................................................................................. 60.1 61.1 1.0 60.2 - 62.0

 Georgia .............................................................................................................................. 64.5 64.8 .3 63.8 - 65.8

 Maryland .............................................................................................................................. 65.9 67.0 1.1 66.1 - 67.9

 North Carolina .............................................................................................................................. 62.4 63.2 .8 62.1 - 64.2

 South Carolina .............................................................................................................................. 59.8 60.1 .3 59.0 - 61.1

 Virginia .............................................................................................................................. 66.2 66.8 .6 65.9 - 67.8

 West Virginia .............................................................................................................................. 52.1 52.8 .7 51.2 - 54.4

 East South Central .............................................................................................................................. 58.9 59.4 .5 58.6 - 60.3

 Alabama .............................................................................................................................. 58.8 59.9 1.1 58.2 - 61.5

 Kentucky .............................................................................................................................. 58.6 59.3 .7 58.0 - 60.6

 Mississippi .............................................................................................................................. 56.7 56.0 -.7 54.3 - 57.7

 Tennessee .............................................................................................................................. 60.1 60.8 .7 59.6 - 62.0

 West South Central .............................................................................................................................. 62.3 62.4 .1 61.7 - 63.0

 Arkansas .............................................................................................................................. 60.2 60.2 .0 59.0 - 61.4

 Louisiana .............................................................................................................................. 58.5 59.2 .7 57.5 - 60.8

 Oklahoma .............................................................................................................................. 61.0 61.2 .2 59.8 - 62.5

 Texas .............................................................................................................................. 63.5 63.4 -.1 62.7 - 64.1

West .............................................................................................................................. 63.0 63.4 .4 63.0 - 63.7

 Mountain .............................................................................................................................. 64.7 65.6 .9 65.0 - 66.2

 Arizona .............................................................................................................................. 61.2 61.7 .5 60.3 - 63.1

 Colorado .............................................................................................................................. 68.6 69.9 1.3 68.4 - 71.4

 Idaho .............................................................................................................................. 65.7 66.2 .5 64.8 - 67.6

 Montana .............................................................................................................................. 63.7 64.7 1.0 63.4 - 66.1

 Nevada .............................................................................................................................. 64.3 65.4 1.1 64.3 - 66.5

 New Mexico .............................................................................................................................. 60.1 60.8 .7 59.8 - 61.9

 Utah .............................................................................................................................. 68.5 70.1 1.6 68.7 - 71.6

 Wyoming .............................................................................................................................. 68.1 69.1 1.0 67.7 - 70.4

 Pacific .............................................................................................................................. 62.3 62.4 .1 62.0 - 62.9

 Alaska .............................................................................................................................. 66.8 66.8 .0 65.0 - 68.5

 California .............................................................................................................................. 61.9 62.1 .2 61.6 - 62.5

 Hawaii .............................................................................................................................. 64.3 64.8 .5 63.6 - 66.1

 Oregon .............................................................................................................................. 61.6 61.8 .2 60.8 - 62.8

 Washington .............................................................................................................................. 63.9 64.0 .1 63.0 - 65.0

Puerto Rico .............................................................................................................................. 42.3 42.3 .0

 

1

 Employment as a percent of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years of age and over.

 

2

 Error ranges are shown at the 90-percent confidence level and are based on unrounded data.

 NA = Data not available.

 NOTE: Data refer to place of residence. Employment-population ratios are based on unrounded

levels. Data for subnational areas reflect revised population controls and model reestimation.

Data for Puerto Rico are derived from a monthly household survey similar to the Current

Population Survey.

NA

 Employment-population ratio 1

Region, division, and state change

Over-the-year Error range of employmentpopulation ratio, 2006 2