South Dakota Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for South Dakota fell 0.1 percentage points in December 2011 to 4.2%. The state unemployment rate was 4.3 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in South Dakota peaked in December 2009 at 5.2% and is now 1.0 percentage points lower. You can also see South Dakota unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
South Dakota	4.2%	-0.1	-0.5

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

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 23,067. There are now 3,959 fewer people unemployed in the state. South Dakota job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
South Dakota	19,108	-277	-1,700

Number of Unemployed Persons

South Dakota Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	South Dakota Unemployment Rate	South Dakota Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	4.2%	19,108
November 2011	8.7%	4.3%	19,385
October 2011	8.9%	4.5%	20,281
September 2011	9.0%	4.6%	20,729
August 2011	9.1%	4.7%	21,057
July 2011	9.1%	4.7%	20,872
June 2011	9.1%	4.7%	21,166
May 2011	9.0%	4.8%	21,452
April 2011	9.0%	4.9%	21,904
March 2011	8.9%	4.9%	22,027
February 2011	9.0%	4.8%	21,592
January 2011	9.1%	4.7%	21,054