Area Development
For the first time since April 2006, Michigan does not lead the country in unemployment numbers. Nevada had a 14 percent unemployment rate in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Michigan took the second spot on the list with 13.6 percent unemployment, followed by California with 12.4 percent of residents out of work, and Rhode Island at 12.3 percent.

North Dakota again has the lowest unemployment rate of 3.6 percent. South Dakota and Nebraska follow with 4.6 percent and 4.9 percent respectively. Overall, regional and state unemployment rates decreased slightly last month. Thirty-seven states and Washington, DC saw unemployment decrease, six states experienced increases, and seven states recorded no change.

Texas, California, and New York posted the biggest over-the-month increases in employment. Texas added 43,000 positions, California added 28,300 jobs, and New York followed with 21,000 new posts. Florida and Virginia each added 20,300 jobs.

New Mexico experienced an over-the-month employment decrease of 1,700 jobs, South Dakota of 800 jobs, Idaho of 200 jobs, and Montana and Nebraska of 100 jobs each.

Regionally, the West experienced the highest unemployment rate in May of 10.9 percent. The Northeast had the lowest rate of 8.9 percent.