16 states were at all-time low unemployment rates in July 2023

New Hampshire had the lowest jobless rate in July 2023, 1.7 percent. The next lowest rates were in Maryland and Vermont, 1.8 percent each. The rates in these three states set new record lows, as did the rates in the following eight states: Alabama (2.1 percent), Louisiana (3.4 percent), Massachusetts (2.5 percent), Mississippi (3.0 percent), Ohio (3.3 percent), Pennsylvania (3.5 percent), Tennessee (3.1 percent), and Washington (3.6 percent). Another five states matched their previously set record lows: Arkansas, Maine, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Oregon. All state unemployment data began in 1976.

Nevada had the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent. In total, 21 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 3.5 percent, 3 states and the District of Columbia had higher rates, and 26 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation.

Unemployment rates were lower than the prior month in 7 states, higher in 3 states, and stable in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Compared to a year earlier, 23 states had jobless rate decreases, 5 states and the District had increases, and 22 states had little change. The national unemployment rate in July 2023, 3.5 percent, changed little over the month and was unchanged over the year.

These data are from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics program and are seasonally adjusted. Data for the most recent month are preliminary. To learn more, see "State Employment and Unemployment — July 2023." We also have more charts and maps of state employment and unemployment data.