While many analysts consider the U.S. labor market to be going through a downturn, the reality is not uniform—with certain states seeing their unemployment rates improve, and others experiencing sizeable increases. What To KnowAccording to the agency’s most recent jobs report, the nationwide unemployment rate dipped to 4.4 percent in December from a revised reading of 4.5 percent for November. Washington, D.C., meanwhile, boasted the highest unemployment rate in the country at 6.7 percent, thanks to a 1.4-percent increase over the past 12 months. Meanwhile, Indiana saw the greatest improvements—its rate falling 0.9 percent—followed by Colorado, Hawaii and Kentucky with 0.8 percent drops. The United States is experiencing a jobless boom where growth is strong, but hiring is not.