N. Dakota Oil Production Sets New Record in Aug.

In August, North Dakota pumped another record amount of oil, producing more than 10 million barrels in a single month for the first time ever (see chart above, data here).  Compared to August of last year, oil production has increased by 41%, and oil production has doubled in a little more than two years - from slightly fewer than 5 million barrels in June of 2008 to more than 10 million barrels in August this year.  

Partly because of its ongoing oil boom, North Dakota continues to lead the nation with the lowest unemployment rate at 3.7% in August, almost a full percentage point below second-lowest state South Dakota at 4.5%, and almost 6 points below the nation's average 9.6% rate.