Nonfarm payroll employment by state, seasonally adjusted, grew from November 2002 to November 2003 in 26 states plus the District of Columbia and declined in 24, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Gains in construction employment were more widespread: 31 states plus DC, with only 18 states reporting drops. (Hawaii did not report).
The biggest construction employment pickup was in Georgia (9%), followed by Nevada (8%), Louisiana and Indiana (both 7%), and New Mexico (6%). The largest losses were in New Hampshire (-8%), Colorado (-6%), Massachusetts and Wisconsin (both -5%).
U.S. population grew 1% to 290.8 million in the year ending July 1, 2003, the Census Bureau reported Thursday (http://eire.census.gov/popest/data/states.php). That growth rate was a slight deceleration from the 1.1% growth in the prior 12 months. DC lost 5,773 people (1%) and North Dakota lost a minimal 74; every other state gained. For the 17th consecutive year, Nevada was the fastest-growing state, up 3.4%. A little more than half the growth came from natural increase (births-deaths), with the rest from net migration.