South Dakota Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for South Dakota fell 0.0 percentage points in April 2012 to 4.3%. The state unemployment rate was 3.8 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in South Dakota peaked in May 2009 at 5.3% and is now 1.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.2% in January 2012, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see South Dakota unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	April 2012	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.1%	-0.1	-0.9
South Dakota	4.3%	0.0	-0.5

Unemployment Rate: South Dakota, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

South Dakota Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in South Dakota peaked in January 2010 at 23,471. There are now 4,125 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 19,027 in January 2012, the number of unemployed has now grown by 319. South Dakota job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	April 2012	Month/Month	Year/Year
South Dakota	19,346	-14	-2,202

Number of Unemployed Persons

South Dakota Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	South Dakota Unemployment Rate	South Dakota Unemployed
April 2012	8.1%	4.3%	19,346
March 2012	8.2%	4.3%	19,360
February 2012	8.3%	4.3%	19,198
January 2012	8.3%	4.2%	19,027
December 2011	8.5%	4.3%	19,369
November 2011	8.7%	4.3%	19,445
October 2011	8.9%	4.4%	19,811
September 2011	9.0%	4.5%	20,081
August 2011	9.1%	4.6%	20,414
July 2011	9.1%	4.6%	20,574
June 2011	9.1%	4.7%	20,912
May 2011	9.0%	4.8%	21,190
April 2011	9.0%	4.8%	21,548