The number of unemployed persons (6.9 million) and the unemployment rate (4.6 percent) were essentially unchanged in September, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Thus far in 2006, the jobless rate has ranged from 4.6 to 4.8 percent.
Over the month, the unemployment rates for most major worker groups—adult women, teenagers, whites, blacks, and Hispanics—showed little or no change. The jobless rate for adult men declined in September.
This data is from the Current Population Survey and are seasonally adjusted. More information can be found in "The Employment Situation: September 2006," news release USDL 06-1770.
