South Dakota again posted the lowest jobless rate among states in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, although the state's jobless rate edged up to 3.0% from 2.8% in June. Nebraska posted the next-lowest unemployment rate at 3.4%.

Michigan again reported the highest jobless rate among states at 8.5% in July, its rate was unchanged from June. Mississippi posted the second-highest jobless rate at 7.9%, followed by Rhode Island at 7.7%. Two large states, California and Illinois, posted jobless rates of 7.3% each.

Year-over-year, 47 states and the District of Columbia reported higher unemployment rates, three reported lower rates.