Unemployment rates by state in December 2008

Bureau of Labor and Statistics ^ | Jan 28,2009

[SeekAndFind]

In December 2008, Michigan and Rhode Island reported the highest jobless rates, 10.6 and 10.0 percent, respectively; Wyoming posted the lowest unemployment rate among the states.



The Rhode Island rate was the highest in its series. (All state series begin in 1976.) Four additional states recorded rates of 9.0 percent or more: South Carolina, 9.5 percent; California, 9.3 percent; Nevada, 9.1 percent; and Oregon, 9.0 percent.

Wyoming posted the lowest unemployment rate, 3.4 percent, followed closely by North Dakota at 3.5 percent.

Overall, 10 states and the District of Columbia registered significantly higher jobless rates than the U.S. figure of 7.2 percent, 22 states reported measurably lower rates, and 18 states had rates little different from that of the nation.

These data come from the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program and are seasonally adjusted. More State unemployment statistics are available in "Regional and State Employment and Unemployment: December 2008"

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2136635/posts

“Are you looking for a job [or a career]?”

*Note: This thread is updated on a regular basis.

[umgud]

10.8% in my county. Kern County, CA.

[cripplecreek]

WOOO HOOO Michigan wins!!!!!

[cripplecreek]

We topped 11% last week here in Jackson County Mi. There are a couple of counties up north that have passed 20%

[MichiganConservative]

Jenny said I’d be blown away.

[penelopesire]

How do you get stats on all of the states? it would be interesting to compare unemployment between long run republican states and democrat ones.

We can already see some of the stark stats from the table you posted.

[cripplecreek]

People wonder how I keep my sense of humor here in Michigan. We’ve just had a long time to get acclimated to disaster.

[Joiseydude]

Here's a chart hat displays the unemployment rate for all 57 states.

[Cloverfarm]

We are at 15 percent here. However, the 20 percent you mentioned really rots!

[Joiseydude]

hat=that

[1-Eagle]

Still nowhere near 1976-1980 under the Carter Administration which posted double-digit inflation & double-digit unemployment. Around 93% of us are still working nationwide... is the cup 7% empty, or 93% full? This downturn has been badly overplayed to lull Americans into a Socialist trap. May God give us the wisdom not to accept it.

[Star Traveler]

I wonder how long it will take to get to 25% unemployment. Probably two years, I guess...

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Interesting is that one of the most conservative states, South Carolina, has a high rate....while one of the more liberal states (North Dakota) is next to lowest.

Could it be that South Carolina has one of the most Economic Anti-American Senators, Lindsey Graham (pro-illegal, pro-Globalist)......and that North Dakota has one of the more pro-American Senators, Byron Dorgan (anti-illegal, pro-American economics)?

[libh8er]

Michigan is a failed state. In the not too distant future it will be hard tell Michigan apart from Somalia.

[Irish Eyes]

Checked out the unemployment chart in earlier post. AZ 6.9% 12-08, 6.0% 12-78

[tvdog12345]

Green states (in the chart) don’t worry - you will catch up.

[Clemenza]

Actually, it has more to do with demographics/culture (saying anymore on that would get me banned), to say nothing of the fact that most NDers are employed in Ag or Energy. ND is subject to the same whims of the global economy as SC.

Should be mentioned that Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Iowa are always at the top of the list in terms of educational tests and have the lowest rates of divorce, FWIW.

[Clemenza]

10.8% in my county. Kern County, CA. How will you folks keep the tanks to your El Caminos and lowriders filled?

[billmor]

The unemployment rates are pretty bad, in some States, the worst in 25 years, in others, the worst since WW II...For those interested, here is a Timeline of the Great Depression and towards the bottom there is a chart showing the unemployment rates during that era which ran from 1929 to roughly 1945..Would you believe a 24.9 % unemployment rate in 1933 which started dropping after FDR took office...Here is the URL
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/Timeline.htm

As further verification of the unemployment rates, here is the URL to the Bureau of Labor Statistics which shows the unemployment rates during the Depression, as well as the union scale wages during that time...

http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/cm20030124ar03p1.htm