Nebraska jobless rate hits 4 percent

[Omaha Steve]

The panic is taking hold here too.


http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1208&u_sid=10550036

Published Thursday January 29, 2009
Nebraska jobless rate hits 4 percent
BY VIRGIL LARSON
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Nebraska’s jobless rate rose to 4 percent in December, its highest rate in more than 3½ years.

Iowa’s hit 4.6 percent, its highest in nearly four years.

The increases were not surprises, following reports of layoffs and more people filing for unemployment benefits and seeking jobs. However, the jobless figures were further confirmation of the growing effects of the national recession.

The numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 39,358 Nebraskans were unemployed in December. That is 12,594 more than in December 2007 and 5,000 more than in November.

The December 2007 jobless rate was 3.7 percent, the same as in November 2008.

Unemployment in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area grew by almost 4,500 since December 2007, raising the rate a full percentage point to 4.1 percent. The November 2008 unemployment rate in the metro area was 3.7 percent.

FULL story at link.

[terisan]

1. Interesting, 4% used to be considered frictional unemployment. I wonder whether states

that didn't participate in the big bubble will fare better regarding unemployment. Of course, it is a steep increase for the month.

What is your view of the Nebraska economy?

[provis99]

2. 4% is pretty damn low unemployment

In Michigan, I believe its about 10%. 9.5% in California. I wish those states had Nebraska numbers.