The number of people unemployed increased by 4,498, to 473,937. The number of people employed increased by 1,324 (seasonally adjusted), to 4,032,376. Since this time last year, the number of people unemployed has increased by 28,123. The state unemployment rate in September 2010 was 10 percent. This marks the 4th straight month of increases, with May beginning at 9.7, June up to 9.9, July to 10.1, August to 10.4 and now September 10.5%.
Nationally, September’s unemployment rate remained unchanged over the month at 9.1 percent. The number of persons unemployed increased by 25,000 (0.2%), while the civilian labor force grew by 423,000 (0.3%).
Regular Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance (UI) totaled 55,083 in September, increasing 2,262 from August. Forty-five percent of Initial Claims for September 2011 were “attached” to a payroll, meaning that employees expect to be recalled to their jobs. A total of $99,970,781 in regular UI benefits was paid in September to 107,717 claimants statewide —a decrease of 4,298 claimants since August 201l.