Idaho's August unemployment rate of 2.4% was again the lowest in the nation, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Idaho had also posted the lowest jobless rate among states in July. Next lowest states in August were Hawaii and Utah at 2.6% each, followed by Montana at 2.8%. Michigan again had the highest unemployment rate among states at 7.4%, followed by Alaska at 6.3%.

California posted the largest month-over-month increase in employment in August, gaining 21,000 jobs. Mississippi and South Carolina reported the largest month-over-month percentage increase in employment at 0.5% each.

The largest decrease in employment was in New York, which lost 6,400, jobs. And the largest percentage decrease in employment took place in North Dakota, which reported a 0.5% decline.

Overall, 41 states posted month-to-month increases in their unemployment rates in August while nine states and the District of Columbia reported decreases.