Latest Unemployment and Payrolls Data Show Red States Fare Better Than Blue States

The latest unemployment data and non-farm payrolls numbers show that so-called red states are in better shape than blue states. Data released on Jan. 23 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed “statistically significant” growth in the unemployment rate in 15 states from the month of November. “Eighteen states and the District of Columbia had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 15 states had decreases, and 17 states had little change,” the BLS reported. “The national unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent, but was 0.2 percentage points higher than in December 2022.” The states that had the lowest jobless rate in December 2023 were Maryland and North Dakota, each with 1.9 percent. At 5.4 percent, Nevada had the highest unemployment rate....