The unemployment rate showed much stability throughout the month of May, remaining relatively unchanged in 45 states across America. Three states saw an increase in unemployment rates, while just two saw a decrease.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported their employment and unemployment summary for the month of May this past week. Nonfarm payroll employment saw little to no change in May 2025. Over the duration of the year, it has seen an increase in 18 states. On the other hand, 32 states have remained essentially unchanged.
New Jersey was among the states with no significant change in its unemployment rate across the past year. From May 2024 to May 2025, the unemployment only rose by 0.3%. The state that saw the lowest unemployment rate was South Dakota, at just 1.8%. On the opposite end, the District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9%.
Of the two states that saw a decrease in unemployment, one of them were neighbors of the Garden State, New York. Both New York and Indiana saw a drop in the unemployment rate by 0.2%.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will be releasing the state employment and unemployment release for the month of June on July 18.