The annual average U.S. unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, up from 9.3 percent in 2009. Average annual unemployment rates rose in 31 states and Washington D.C, the BLS said, while the rates fell in 18 states and remained flat in one.

The West, at 11.1 percent, was the only region to be significantly above the national rate, due to the Pacific states' average unemployment rate of 11.7 percent. The West was at 10.2 percent in 2009.

The Northeast and South regions both rose from 2009. The Northeast went to 8.7 percent from 8.4 percent, while the South rose to 9.3 percent unemployment from 8.9 percent.

The Midwest is the only region whose rate fell in 2010 -- to 9.4 percent from 9.6 percent. The Midwest is home to the three states with the lowest unemployment rates in the country: North Dakota (3.9 percent), Nebraska (4.7 percent) and South Dakota (4.8 percent).

Nevada had the highest unemployment rate in 2010 at 14.9 percent, also the biggest increase at 2.4 percentage-points over its rate in 2009. Next-highest was Michigan, with 12.5 percent unemployment, a decline of .8 point from last year. California's unemployment rate rose 1.1 percentage points to 12.4 percent in 2010.

The complete report can be found at: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/srgune.pdf