How do unemployment rates vary by state?

The national unemployment rate increased from 4.4% in June to 4.3% in July 2024 with an estimated 7.2 million people not working but looking for a job in July. This is up from when the national unemployment rate was 3.5% in July 2023.

Which states have the highest unemployment rates?

In July 2024, the highest unemployment rates were in Nevada (5.4%), and California, and Illinois (both 5.2%). Washington, DC, had an unemployment rate of 5.5%. Fourteen states had unemployment rates between 4.0% and 4.9%, while 20 had rates between 3.0% and 3.9%. The remaining 13 states had unemployment rates between 2.0% and 2.9%.

The lowest unemployment rates were in North Dakota (2.2%), Vermont (2.1%), and South Dakota (2.0%).

How do unemployment rates compare to last year?

From July 2023 to July 2024, unemployment increased in 42 states and in Washington, DC. Rates rose the most in Rhode Island, Ohio, South Carolina, and Washington, all of which had an increase of at least a 1 percentage point. Rhode Island’s rate rose the most: 1.8 percentage points.

Rates stayed the same in three states – Connecticut, Maine, and South Dakota – and dropped in five: Iowa, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Arizona.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm jobs increased by 114,000 in July 2024, with the most gains occurring in healthcare, construction, and transportation and warehousing.

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