More states join California with double-digit jobless rates

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A snapshot of the bleak employment picture nationwide: One-quarter of the 50 states now have double-digit jobless rates.

The number of states with unemployment rates greater than 10% jumped to 13 in May from eight in April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

California’s rate rose to 11.5% from 11.1%, ranking it fifth-worst among the states.

The 13 states now in double digits, plus the District of Columbia: Michigan, 14.1%; Oregon, 12.4%; Rhode Island, 12.1%; South Carolina, 12.1%; California, 11.5%; Nevada, 11.3%; North Carolina, 11.1%; Ohio, 10.8%; D.C., 10.7%; Tennessee, 10.7%; Indiana, 10.6%; Kentucky, 10.6%; Florida, 10.2%; and Illinois, 10.1%.

If you’re ready to pack up the car and leave California for (somewhat) greener job pastures, here are the 10 states with the lowest unemployment rates: Nebraska, 4.4% (and down from 4.5% in April, making it the only state to show a month-to-month decline); North Dakota, 4.4%; South Dakota, 5.0%; Wyoming, 5.0%; Utah, 5.4%; Iowa, 5.8%; Montana, 6.3%; Oklahoma, 6.3%; New Hampshire, 6.5%; and New Mexico, 6.5%.

Texas’ jobless rate also remains relatively low, at 7.1%, though it jumped from 6.6% in April.

The national rate was 9.4% in May.

-- Tom Petruno