Unemployment rates fell in 21 US states in June, held down by shrinking work force
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this photo taken Wednesday, July 15, 2015, Luigi Valdivieso, left, talks about job opportunities to Richard Solano at a job fair in Miami Lakes, Fla. The Labor Department reports on state unemployment rates for June on Tuesday, July 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) (The Associated Press)
Unemployment rates fell last month in 21 U.S. states and were unchanged in 17, as widespread job growth and a shrinking workforce reduce the ranks of those out of work.
The Labor Department says unemployment rates rose in 12 states. Employers added jobs in 31 states and cut them in 17, with little change in the remaining two states.
The figures reflect steady hiring nationwide. Employers added 223,000 jobs in June, and the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.3 percent from 5.5 percent. Yet last month's rate decline occurred because some unemployed gave up looking for work. The jobless aren't counted as unemployed unless they are actively searching for work.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nebraska has the lowest unemployment rate, at 2.6 percent, while West Virginia has the highest, at 7.4 percent.