WASHINGTON — Unemployment rates rose in July in more than half the states for the second straight month, evidence that job growth remains weak nationwide.
The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment increased in 28 states, fell in nine and remained unchanged in 13. Those are nearly the same figures as in June, when unemployment rose in 28 states, fell in eight and was unchanged in 14.
The number of states reporting job gains rose to 31 in July from 26 in June. But the gains weren’t always enough to lower unemployment rates in those states. An unemployment rate can increase even if jobs are added, if many more people look for work.
That’s what happened in Michigan last month. It reported the third-biggest gain in jobs: 23,000. About half the gain was in government jobs, defying a nationwide trend of job cuts by state and local governments.
State officials said the gain was likely exaggerated by seasonal adjustments.
New York enjoyed the biggest job gain in July: 29,400. The state added jobs in education, health care, and professional and business services — a category that includes accounting, engineering, and temporary workers, among other professions.
Illinois reported the biggest loss of jobs last month: 24,900. It was followed by Florida, with a loss of 22,100 and Minnesota, with 19,800.
