Executive Summary

This is the sixth edition of state-by-state snapshots issued by the Joint Economic Committee during the 112th Congress and includes data through May 2011.

This month’s report shows that the slowing in employment growth during May at the national level was felt across several states, with a majority of states losing private-sector jobs during the month. Nationally, private-sector employment gains eased to 83,000 in May, after three straight months of private-sector jobs gains exceeding 200,000.   Similarly, the ISM Manufacturing Index, while recording its 22nd consecutive month of expansion in manufacturing activity, slowed to its lowest level since September 2009.   Retail sales fell in May for the first time since June 2010.

Against this national backdrop, the report highlights progress at the state level in creating private-sector jobs and reducing unemployment and tracks the employment gains in key sectors, including manufacturing and professional and business services.  

Additionally, for the first time, the report includes the 2010 average unemployment rates for  Post-9/11 veterans (those who have served on active duty since September 2001) and for all veterans. Post-9/11 veterans faced higher unemployment rates than the overall veteran  population in 35 states and the District of Columbia (click here for tables).  

Post-9/11 veterans in Michigan had the highest unemployment rate (29.4 percent).   Indiana saw the largest difference between the Post-9/11 unemployment rate (23.6 percent) and the overall veteran unemployment rate (9.0 percent) – a gap of 14.6 percentage points. Nationally, Post-9/11 veterans had an average unemployment rate in 2010 almost 3 percentage points higher than the overall veteran-unemployment rate, 11.5 percent vs. 8.7 percent. For additional information on the causes of high unemployment among Post-9/11 veterans, see “Meeting the Needs of Veterans In Today’s Labor Force.”

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