Jobless rate rises in one state in January

The unemployment rate rose in just one state in January, according to new data from the Labor Department.

{mosads}Iowa was the sole state to have its jobless rate tick up, though it continues to have one of the lowest figures in the nation. The unemployment rate fell in 43 states and Washington, D.C., and stayed level in six states.

The national jobless rate dropped to 6.6 percent in January, even with the economy adding a sluggish 129,000 jobs, according to a recent revision.

Rhode Island’s jobless rate remained the highest in the country in January, at 9.2 percent, despite the rate ticking down 0.1-percentage points. Nevada’s rate fell to 8.7 percent, meaning Rhode Island is the only state with a rate north of 9 percent.

On the other side of the spectrum, North Dakota’s jobless rate fell even further, to 2.6 percent. Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont also have jobless rates of 4 percent or less.

Several states where Democratic incumbents are trying to hold on to Senate seats — and keep the chamber in the party’s hands — saw their jobless rate fall as well. Louisiana’s rate fell to 4.9 percent and Montana’s rate to 5.3 percent, both well below the national average.

North Carolina (6.7 percent) and Colorado (6.1 percent) also had their unemployment rate tick down, though their rates are closer to the national average.