Mississippi and Georgia are leading the pack of 30 states that saw an increase in unemployment in July, even as employers continue to add new jobs, according to statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The trend shows that more people are seeking jobs nationwide as the economy continues to improve.
The U.S. unemployment average was 6.1 percent in June and rose to 6.2 percent in July. The Labor Department said Monday that unemployment rates lowered in eight states, while 12 states, including the District of Columbia, did not see a change from June’s statistics.
Mississippi had the highest unemployment rate in July with 8 percent, taking over from June’s leader Rhode Island. This is the state’s first month with the highest unemployment average since the 2008-2009 Great Recession, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Georgia came in second with 7.8 percent unemployment, barely missing the top spot. Michigan, Rhode Island, and Nevada tied for third highest with 7.7 percent.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that as more people actively seek work, the unemployment rate tends to increase. The job market has looked bleak for many job-seekers in recent years, but the government says most hunting for jobs remain optimistic. Employers added 209,000 jobs. Texas lead in the area of job growth as employers added 46,600 jobs to the economy. California added 27,700 jobs. And Michigan follows with 17,900 new jobs.