Double-digit unemployment hits 7 states (Michigan, S. Carolina, Oregon lead the way)

Atlanta Business Journal ^ | March 27,2009 | G. Scott Thomas

[SeekAndFind]

Seven states posted unemployment rates above 10 percent in February, as Georgia is inched toward the double digits, according to seasonally adjusted figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Georgia's unemployment rate for February was a record high 9.3 percent. Metro Atlanta's unemployment rate also was 9.3 percent in February.

Michigan registered the nation’s worst rate, with 12 percent of its labor force out of work as of February 2009.

Also in double digits were South Carolina (11 percent), Oregon (10.8 percent), North Carolina (10.7 percent), California (10.5 percent), Rhode Island (10.5 percent), and Nevada (10.1 percent).

All seven of those states experienced rapid rises in unemployment during the past year. North Carolina’s increase was the sharpest in the nation, up 5.5 percentage points from its February 2008 jobless rate of 5.2 percent.

Unemployment increased by at least one percentage point in every single state and the District of Columbia.

North Carolina, Oregon and South Carolina were the only states with year-to-year jumps of more than five points.

Seven other states suffered upswings in unemployment of at least four percentage points during the past year: Alabama, California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada and Rhode Island.

Wyoming had the lowest unemployment rate in America last month, 3.9 percent, followed by Nebraska at 4.2 percent and North Dakota at 4.3 percent.

What follows, in alphabetical order, are the 50 states and the District of Columbia, followed by their February 2009 unemployment rates and increases (in percentage points) from their February 2008 rates.

• Alabama, 8.4 percent (up 4.3 points)

• Alaska, 8.0 percent (up 1.5 points)

• Arizona, 7.4 percent (up 2.9 points)

• Arkansas, 6.6 percent (up 1.8 points)

• California, 10.5 percent (up 4.3 points)

• Colorado, 7.2 percent (up 2.7 points)

• Connecticut, 7.4 percent (up 2.2 points)

• Delaware, 7.4 percent (up 3.4 points)

• District of Columbia, 9.9 percent (up 3.8 points)

• Florida, 9.4 percent (up 4.2 points)

• Georgia, 9.3 percent (up 3.9 points)

• Hawaii, 6.5 percent (up 3.4 points)

• Idaho, 6.8 percent (up 2.9 points)

• Illinois, 8.6 percent (up 2.7 points)

• Indiana, 9.4 percent (up 4.4 points)

• Iowa, 4.9 percent (up 1.0 points)

• Kansas, 5.9 percent (up 1.9 points)

• Kentucky, 9.2 percent (up 3.6 points)

• Louisiana, 5.7 percent (up 1.9 points)

• Maine, 8.0 percent (up 3.1 points)

• Maryland, 6.7 percent (up 3.0 points)

• Massachusetts, 7.8 percent (up 3.2 points)

• Michigan, 12.0 percent (up 4.6 points)

• Minnesota, 8.1 percent (up 3.1 points)

• Mississippi, 9.1 percent (up 3.2 points)

• Missouri, 8.3 percent (up 2.8 points)

• Montana, 6.0 percent (up 2.0 points)

• Nebraska, 4.2 percent (up 1.2 points)

• Nevada, 10.1 percent (up 4.6 points)

• New Hampshire, 5.3 percent (up 1.6 points)

• New Jersey, 8.2 percent (up 3.5 points) New Mexico, 5.4 percent (up 1.6 points)

• New York, 7.8 percent (up 3.2 points)

• North Carolina, 10.7 percent (up 5.5 points)

• North Dakota, 4.3 percent (up 1.3 points)

• Ohio, 9.4 percent (up 3.5 points)

• Oklahoma, 5.5 percent (up 2.3 points)

• Oregon, 10.8 percent (up 5.4 points)

• Pennsylvania, 7.5 percent (up 2.7 points)

• Rhode Island, 10.5 percent (up 4.0 points)

• South Carolina, 11.0 percent (up 5.3 points)

• South Dakota, 4.6 percent (up 1.9 points)

• Tennessee, 9.1 percent (up 3.6 points)

• Texas, 6.5 percent (up 2.0 points)

• Utah, 5.1 percent (up 1.8 points)

• Vermont, 7.0 percent (up 2.6 points)

• Virginia, 6.6 percent (up 3.1 points)

• Washington, 8.4 percent (up 3.7 points)

• West Virginia, 6.0 percent (up 1.8 points)

• Wisconsin, 7.7 percent (up 3.2 points)

• Wyoming, 3.9 percent (up 1.1 points)

[SeekAndFind]

Actually, If forecasts are to be believed, California is on track to overtake Michigan at 12%.

See here :

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/mar/25/1n25econ01129-states-jobless-rate-forecast-pass-12/?zIndex=72231

[concerned about politics]

Oboma has brought us all the way back to the Carter economy. Who would have ever thought that this government would be dumb enough to do that again? (Never mind. That's a rhetorical question).

Get ready for fuel/food rationing. That comes next. The left never does anything right.

[wk4bush2004]

And Granholm thinks she’s a better governor?

[WOBBLY BOB]

most blue state’s (and many red) will raise taxes as their ‘solution’. add that with releasing people early from prison for ‘lack of funding’ and it’s no wonder more law-abiding people are arming up.

[SoDak]

Wow...this explains why my efforts to relocate into another job have been less than stellar over the last 6 months. I think I may have to wash the boss’s car at lunch.

[concerned about politics]

Actually, If forecasts are to be believed

There's nothing to worry about. We're going to have all the green golf carts we've ever wanted.

[SeekAndFind]

And Granholm thinks she’s a better governor?

I'm not sure of laughing at a Democratic Governor is appropriate. South Carolina is governed by a conservative governor, Mark Sanford who refuses to accept stimulus money. His state is right on top the unemployment list.

[weezel]

A friend of my son says he has been on unemployment for 3 years. Says everytime his benefits have been used up, he recieved a letter extending them. He says it’s like they dont want to to go back to work. As long as it stays this way, unemployment #s will not come down.

[wk4bush2004]

“I’m not sure of laughing at a Democratic Governor is appropriate.”

I’m just saying that Granholm was bragging that she was better than Palin. Michigan is in FAR worse shape than Alaska is.

“Mark Sanford who refuses to accept stimulus money”

And how would accepting the stimulus money increase employment?

[SeekAndFind]

A friend of my son says he has been on unemployment for 3 years. Says everytime his benefits have been used up, he recieved a letter extending them.

The OFFICIAL DEPT OF LABOR cut-off time for unemployment benefits is 26 weeks. You are supposed to demonstrate that you are ready, willing and able to work. How the heck did he get unemployment benefits for 3 FREAKING YEARS !!

If this is so, why would anyone want to even look for work if you can get money on the mail and sit at home and read People's Magazine on your couch ?

[SeekAndFind]

I’m just saying that the unemployment rate in a state is not necessarily correlated with the political orientation of the governor.

[myuhaul]

Most on layoff probably voted for Obama if they voted at all. Change they can live with.

[wk4bush2004]

“I’m just saying that the unemployment rate in a state is not necessarily correlated with the political orientation of the governor.”

True. I hear you there.

[Nathan Zachary]

We haven’t seen anything yet. just wait till state coffers begin to run out (those that haven’t already) of UI funds, and demand for fed funding starts piling up, and cut backs in state budgets lay off even more people.
it’s all going to snowball on Obama.

[SeekAndFind]

So, you’re forecasting MORE than 7 states with double digit unemployment in the near future ?

[Wissa]

The OFFICIAL DEPT OF LABOR cut-off time for unemployment benefits is 26 weeks. You are supposed to demonstrate that you are ready, willing and able to work. How the heck did he get unemployment benefits for 3 FREAKING YEARS !! If this is so, why would anyone want to even look for work if you can get money on the mail and sit at home and read People's Magazine on your couch ?

I know a person who is collecting full social security benefits (he's reached full retirement age) and he's also been collecting unemployment checks for years as they keep extending the benefits.

It's not all that hard to demonstrate that you're "ready, willing and able to work" while at the same time ensuring that nobody makes a job offer for you to have to refuse.

[SeekAndFind]

What’s Wyoming doing right at a time like this ?

A 3.7% unemployment rate is BEYOND OUTSTANDING ! It means that anyone who wants a job can find one.

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

And we all know why the number is so high here in the mitten...it's all those damn Canadians that flood across the border every day, stealing our jobs right out from under our noses!

[Wissa]

What’s Wyoming doing right at a time like this ? A 3.7% unemployment rate is BEYOND OUTSTANDING ! It means that anyone who wants a job can find one.

I haven't looked into it, but I'd speculate that some of the states with low unemployment have such low unemployment BENEFITS that people find it doesn't pay enough to justify not working.

[SeekAndFind]

it's all those damn Canadians that flood across the border every day, stealing our jobs right out from under our noses!

I'm not sure if you're joking or are serious.