In December 2024, Nevada had the highest unemployment rate in the United States, with an unemployment rate of 5.7. The unemployment rate was also high in the District of Columbia, with an unemployment rate of 5.6 percent in December. Unemployment in the U.S. A person is considered unemployed if they have no job and are currently looking for a job and available to work. The unemployment rate in the United States varies across states. Nation-wide unemployment was 3.4 percent as of April 2023. Unemployment can be affected by various factors including economic conditions and global competition. During economic prosperity, unemployment rates generally decrease and during times of recession, rates increase. The seasons can also have an impact on the unemployment rate, especially during winter, when there is lower demand for construction workers or other professionals who typically work outdoors. The retail sector also experiences fluctuating demand for workers, particularly during the holiday-shopping season, when demand for workers increases. For this reason, labor statistics are usually presented as being either seasonally adjusted or unadjusted. The data presented in this statistic have been seasonally adjusted, but the monthly unadjusted unemployment rate can be accessed here.

Unemployment Rate in the United States increased to 4.40 percent in September from 4.30 percent in August of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In 2023, Nevada had the highest annual unemployment rate in the United States at 5.1 percent. North Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate that year, at 1.9 percent. The monthly unemployment rate by state can be found here.

View monthly updates and historical trends for US Unemployment Rate. from United States. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Track economic data with YCha…

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate in Pennsylvania (PAUR) from Jan 1976 to Aug 2025 about PA, unemployment, rate, and USA.

Unemployment Rates by State

Unemployment rates in US states from 1976 to 2018

By Throwback Thursday [source]

About this dataset

This dataset, titled Unemployment by State 1976 - 2018, provides comprehensive information on unemployment rates in each state within the United States from 1976 to 2018. The data was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ensuring reliability and relevance.

The dataset includes a variety of columns that provide valuable insights into the unemployment situation in each state during this time period. These columns include:

1. Month and Year: This column represents the specific month and year for which the data was recorded. It enables researchers to analyze trends and changes in unemployment rates over time.

2. State: This categorical column indicates the name of the individual state for which the unemployment data is recorded. It allows users to compare and contrast unemployment rates between different states throughout this time frame.

3. Civilian Population: This numeric column represents the total number of individuals who were not part of the military or institutionalized, and were at least 16 years old during a particular month and year. It serves as a reference point for understanding workforce size when analyzing employment trends.

4. Total Labor Force: This numeric column represents the total number of individuals who were either employed or actively seeking employment during a specific period in a particular state. It provides an accurate measure of workforce participation that can be used alongside other variables for further analysis.

5. Percent of Population: This numeric column reflects what percentage of a state's civilian population made up its total labor force during a given month and year, providing insights into labor market dynamics on a proportional scale.

6. Employed - Total: This numeric column gives an aggregate count representing how many individuals were employed within each state during a certain period, enabling analysis of employment opportunities across states over time.

7. Employed - Percent of Population: Expressed as a percentage, this variable indicates what proportion of each state's civilian population was employed during specific months/years under consideration. It helps measure the efficiency of state economies in utilizing available workforce resources.

8. Unemployed - Total: This numeric column represents the total number of individuals who were unemployed during specific months and years within each state. It serves as a quantifiable indicator of labor market fluctuations and economic challenges faced by different states at various times.

9. Unemployed - Percent of Labor Force: This numeric column reveals the percentage of total labor force members who were unemployed during specific periods, providing an insight into the severity of unemployment rates relative to overall workforce size.

With this comprehensive dataset, researchers can conduct in-depth analyses on unemployment rates across different states

How to use the dataset

This dataset provides comprehensive information on unemployment rates in each state from 1976 to 2018. The data is obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and covers various aspects related to unemployment.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively utilize this dataset:

• Understand the columns: Familiarize yourself with the different columns present in the dataset. Each column represents a specific attribute related to unemployment rates, such as the month and year of the data recorded, state name, civilian population, total labor force, percentage of population employed or unemployed, and more.

• Filter by state: If you are interested in analyzing specific states, use the State column to filter and extract data for those particular states. This will help you focus your analysis on regions that are most relevant to your research or area of interest.

• Analyze trends over time: Utilize the Month and Year column (excluding dates) for understanding long-term trends in unemployment rates across different states. This can be done by creating line plots or bar charts comparing unemployment rates for multiple states over time.

• Compare employment percentages: The columns Employed - Percent of Population and Unemployed - Percent of Labor Force provide valuable insights into employment trends at both individual state as well as national levels. Use these percentages to compare different states' employment performances against each other or within a specific timeframe.

• Calculate raw numbers: The columns E...

In 1990, the unemployment rate of the United States stood at 5.6 percent. Since then there have been many significant fluctuations to this number - the 2008 financial crisis left millions of people without work, as did the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2022 and throughout 2023, the unemployment rate came to 3.6 percent, the lowest rate seen for decades. However, 2024 saw an increase up to four percent. For monthly updates on unemployment in the United States visit either the monthly national unemployment rate here, or the monthly state unemployment rate here. Both are seasonally adjusted. UnemploymentUnemployment is defined as a situation when an employed person is laid off, fired or quits his work and is still actively looking for a job. Unemployment can be found even in the healthiest economies, and many economists consider an unemployment rate at or below five percent to mean there is 'full employment' within an economy. If former employed persons go back to school or leave the job to take care of children they are no longer part of the active labor force and therefore not counted among the unemployed. Unemployment can also be the effect of events that are not part of the normal dynamics of an economy. Layoffs can be the result of technological progress, for example when robots replace workers in automobile production. Sometimes unemployment is caused by job outsourcing, due to the fact that employers often search for cheap labor around the globe and not only domestically. In 2022, the tech sector in the U.S. experienced significant lay-offs amid growing economic uncertainty. In the fourth quarter of 2022, more than 70,000 workers were laid off, despite low unemployment nationwide. The unemployment rate in the United States varies from state to state. In 2021, California had the highest number of unemployed persons with 1.38 million out of work.

In August 2025, the agriculture and related private wage and salary workers industry had the highest unemployment rate in the United States, at seven percent. In comparison, financial activities workers had the lowest unemployment rate, at 1.6 percent. The average for all industries was 4.5 percent. U.S. unemployment There are several factors that impact unemployment, as it fluctuates with the state of the economy. Unfortunately, the forecasted unemployment rate in the United States is expected to increase as we head into the latter half of the decade. Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher saw the lowest unemployment rate from 1992 to 2022 in the United States, which is attributed to the fact that higher levels of education are seen as more desirable in the workforce. Nevada unemployment Nevada is one of the states with the highest unemployment rates in the country and Vermont typically has one of the lowest unemployment rates. These are seasonally adjusted rates, which means that seasonal factors such as holiday periods and weather events that influence employment periods are removed. Nevada's economy consists of industries that are currently suffering high unemployment rates such as tourism. As of May 2023, about 5.4 percent of Nevada's population was unemployed, possibly due to the lingering impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Over-the-Month Change in Unemployment Rates for States. Rates shown are a percentage of the labor force. Data refer to place of residence. Estimates for the current month are subject to revision the following month.

In August 2025, the unemployment rate for those aged 16 and over in the United States came to 4.5 percent. Service occupations had an unemployment rate of 5.7 percent in that month. The underemployment rate of the country can be accessed here and the monthly unemployment rate here. Unemployment by occupation in the U.S. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics publish data on the unemployment situation within certain occupations in the United States on a monthly basis. According to latest data released from May 2023, transportation and material moving occupations experienced the highest level of unemployment that month, with a rate of around 5.6 percent. Second ranked was farming, fishing, and forestry occupations with a rate of 4.9 percent. Total (not seasonally adjusted) unemployment was reported at 3.6 percent in March 2023. Other data on the U.S. unemployment rate by industry and class of worker shows comparable results. It should be noted that the data were not seasonally adjusted to account for normal seasonal fluctuations in unemployment. The monthly unemployment by occupation data can be compared to the seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate. In March 2023, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, which was an increase from the previous month. The annual unemployment rate in 2022 was 3.6 percent, down from a high of 9.6 in 2010. Unemployment in the United States trended downward after the coronavirus pandemic, and is now experiencing consistently low rates - a sign of economic stability. Individuals who opt to leave the workforce and stop looking for employment are not included among the unemployed. The civilian labor force participation rate in the U.S. rose to 62.2 percent in 2022, down from 67.1 percent in 2000, before the financial crisis.

This dataset contains the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), annual averages from 1990 to 2024.

The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program is a Federal-State cooperative effort in which monthly estimates of total employment and unemployment are prepared for approximately 7,600 areas, including counties, cities and metropolitan statistical areas. These estimates are key indicators of local economic conditions.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for the concepts, definitions, technical procedures, validation, and publication of the estimates that State workforce agencies prepare under agreement with BLS.

Estimates for counties are produced through a building-block approach known as the "Handbook method." This procedure also uses data from several sources, including the CPS, the CES program, state UI systems, and the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), to create estimates that are adjusted to the statewide measures of employment and unemployment. Estimates for cities are prepared using disaggregation techniques based on inputs from the ACS, annual population estimates, and current UI data.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate in California (CAUR) from Jan 1976 to Aug 2025 about CA, unemployment, rate, and USA.

United States Unemployment Rate: Indiana data was reported at 3.600 % in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.000 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: Indiana data is updated monthly, averaging 5.500 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.400 % in Jan 1983 and a record low of 2.200 % in Oct 2000. United States Unemployment Rate: Indiana data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G057: Unemployment Rate: By State.

The unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States stood at 4.5 percent in August 2025. This data is not seasonally adjusted. The adjusted monthly unemployment rate can be found here and the monthly civilian labor force participation rate here.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate in South Carolina (SCURN) from Jan 1976 to Aug 2025 about SC, unemployment, rate, and USA.

Key information about US Unemployment Rate

• US Unemployment Rate increased to 4.10% in Feb 2025, from the previously reported figure of 4.00% in Jan 2025.
• US Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1948 to Feb 2025, with an average rate of 5.50%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 14.80% in Apr 2020 and a record low of 2.50% in Jun 1953.
• The data is reported by reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• In the latest reports, US Population reached 341.16 million people in Dec 2024.

Youth Unemployment Rate in the United States decreased to 10.40 percent in September from 10.50 percent in August of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Youth Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Long Term Unemployment Rate in the United States decreased to 1.06 percent in September from 1.13 percent in August of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Long Term Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

United States Unemployment Rate: Missouri data was reported at 2.300 % in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.600 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: Missouri data is updated monthly, averaging 5.700 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.500 % in Feb 1983 and a record low of 2.300 % in Oct 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: Missouri data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G057: Unemployment Rate: By State.

View monthly updates and historical trends for Texas Unemployment Rate. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.