Jobless Rate Hits Record Levels For Some States

November 20, 2009 7:03 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Unemployment rates in the United States were little changed or higher in October, the Labor Department reported Friday, with some states reporting record levels of jobless.

Some 29 states and the District of Columbia had higher rates jobless rates, according to agency data, while rates in 13 states declined. Eight states had no change.

Michigan had the highest unemployment rate at 15.1 percent, with Nevada at second place with 13 percent and Rhode Island in third at 13.9 percent.

California, Delaware, and Florida had their highest jobless levels, seasonally adjusted, since the department began collecting data in 1976. California had a 12.5 percent rate, Delaware, 8.7 percent, and Florida 11.2 percent.

Nationally, 10.2 percent of American workers were unemployed, the highest level in 26 years.

North Dakota, at 4.2 percent, had the lowest jobless rate.Non-farm payroll rose in 28 states and the District of Columbia, with Texas experiencing the largest single-month increase of 41,700.