Unemployment has fallen broadly across the U.S.—but not in states tied to the energy sector.
The jobless rate declined or held steady in all but nine states in the 12 months through January, the Labor Department said Monday. Nationally, the rate fell eight-tenths of a percentage point to 4.9% over the year. Of the states that saw their unemployment rates increase, most are closely tied economically to energy production.
Wyoming, the nation’s top coal-producing state and also a big oil producer, posted the biggest increase in its unemployment rate over the year. It rose nine-tenths of a percentage point to 4.7% in January.
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