North Dakota posted the lowest jobless rate among states in January at 4.2%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. It was followed by Nebraska at 4.6% and South Dakota at 4.8%.

North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota had ranked as the first-, second- and third-lowest unemployment rates among all states for full-year 2009.

Michigan posted the highest jobless rate among states in January at 14.3%. Nevada ranked second-highest at 13.0%, and Rhode Island was third at 12.7%.