11 US states added jobs in July

FILE - This Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, file photo, shows the Illinois Department of Employment Security office in Springfield, Ill. On Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, the Labor Department reports on state unemployment rates for July. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File) FILE - This Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, file photo, shows the Illinois Department of Employment Security office in Springfield, Ill. On Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, the Labor Department reports on state unemployment rates for July. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

By Associated Press August 18, 2017 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Hiring increased in 11 U.S. states in July, while the unemployment rate tumbled to record lows in two states.

The Labor Department says that unemployment rates were relatively stable in most states. They fell in 15 states and rose in 23, but many of the changes were statistically insignificant.

Several states saw strong job growth between June and July. California added 82,600 jobs. Florida gained 32,700. Pennsylvania saw hiring of 29,000.

North Dakota’s unemployment rate fell to 2.2 percent, a record low. Tennessee’s rate of 3.4 percent is also a record low for that state.