LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska retained its status last month as the state with the nation's lowest unemployment rate, according to data released Friday.
Nebraska's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October fell to 3%, down from 3.6% in September and the same as the rate recorded in October a year ago. Nebraska's latest rate is less than half the national rate of 6.9%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Vermont and Iowa had the second-and third-lowest rates for October at 3.2% and 3.6%, respectively.
Hawaii had the highest rate nationwide, at 14.3%.
Nebraska's rate has remained low compared to other states despite the coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in widespread business closures and layoffs.
Lincoln's unemployment rate was even lower at 2.7% for October, compared with 3.2% in September. The rate for the Omaha area also came in at 3%, a drop from September's 3.9%. Grand Island's rate was 3.4%, a drop from 4.2% in September.
Unemployment rates for Grand Island, Lincoln and Omaha have not been seasonally adjusted and cannot be directly compared with the state unemployment rate.