The October 2009 national average for unemployment currently stands at 10.2%. Scroll down for individual state statistics. (current unemployment rates may be seen here)
The first chart represents the historic national unemployment rate by month, while the second chart represents historic highs and lows of unemployment by state to date. View unemployment stats in other countries.
Current Unemployment Rates for States and Historical Highs/Lows Seasonally Adjusted |
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Oct. 2009p | Historical High | Historical Low | |||
State | Rate | Date | Rate | Date | Rate |
Alabama | 10.9 | Dec. 1982 | 14.4 | Feb. 2007 | 3.3 |
Alaska | 8.9 | July 1986 | 11.5 | Sept. 1999 | 5.9 |
Arizona | 9.3 | Feb. 1983 | 11.5 | June 2007 | 3.6 |
Arkansas | 7.6 | Mar. 1983 | 10.2 | Sept. 2000 | 4.1 |
California | 12.5 | Oct. 2009 | 12.5 | Feb. 2001 | 4.7 |
Colorado | 6.9 | Nov. 1982 | 9.1 | Jan. 2001 | 2.5 |
Connecticut | 8.8 | Jan. 1976 | 10.0 | Nov. 2000 | 2.1 |
Delaware | 8.7 | Oct. 2009 | 8.7 | Oct. 1988 | 2.9 |
District of Columbia | 11.9 | Oct. 2009 | 11.9 | Dec. 1988 | 4.8 |
Florida | 11.2 | Oct. 2009 | 11.2 | July 2006 | 3.3 |
Georgia | 10.2 | July 2009 | 10.3 | Dec. 2000 | 3.4 |
Hawaii | 7.2 | Mar. 1976 | 10.2 | Dec. 2006 | 2.2 |
Idaho | 9.0 | Feb. 1983 | 9.4 | May 2007 | 2.8 |
Illinois | 11.0 | Feb. 1983 | 12.9 | Mar. 1999 | 4.1 |
Indiana | 9.8 | Nov. 1982 | 12.8 | Apr. 1999 | 2.6 |
Iowa | 6.7 | May 1983 | 8.5 | Jan. 2000 | 2.6 |
Kansas | 6.8 | July 2009 | 7.5 | Oct. 1978 | 2.9 |
Kentucky | 11.2 | Dec. 1982 | 12.1 | Mar. 2000 | 4.0 |
Louisiana | 7.4 | Sept. 1986 | 12.9 | July 2006 | 3.2 |
Maine | 8.2 | Mar. 1977 | 9.0 | Jan. 2001 | 3.0 |
Maryland | 7.3 | Aug. 1982 | 8.3 | Mar. 2000 | 3.3 |
Massachusetts | 8.9 | Jan. 1976 | 10.9 | Dec. 2000 | 2.7 |
Michigan | 15.1 | Nov. 1982 | 16.9 | Mar. 2000 | 3.2 |
Minnesota | 7.6 | Nov. 1982 | 9.0 | Apr. 1999 | 2.5 |
Mississippi | 9.8 | May 1983 | 13.7 | Jan. 2001 | 4.9 |
Missouri | 9.3 | Apr. 1983 | 10.5 | Jan. 2000 | 2.6 |
Montana | 6.4 | May 1983 | 8.7 | Mar. 2007 | 3.2 |
Nebraska | 4.9 | Feb. 1983 | 6.8 | Feb. 1998 | 2.2 |
Nevada | 13.0 | Sept. 2009 | 13.3 | Mar. 2006 | 4.2 |
New Hampshire | 6.8 | June 1992 | 7.7 | Apr. 1987 | 1.9 |
New Jersey | 9.7 | Feb. 1977 | 10.6 | June 2000 | 3.5 |
New Mexico | 7.9 | Apr. 1983 | 9.9 | Oct. 2007 | 3.5 |
New York | 9.0 | July 1976 | 10.5 | Apr. 1988 | 4.0 |
North Carolina | 11.0 | May 2009 | 11.1 | Apr. 1999 | 3.1 |
North Dakota | 4.2 | Mar. 1983 | 6.9 | Jan. 1998 | 2.5 |
Ohio | 10.5 | Jan. 1983 | 13.8 | Mar. 2001 | 3.9 |
Oklahoma | 7.1 | Aug. 1986 | 9.4 | Jan. 2001 | 2.7 |
Oregon | 11.3 | May 2009 | 12.2 | Apr. 1995 | 4.7 |
Pennsylvania | 8.8 | Mar. 1983 | 12.9 | Mar. 2000 | 4.0 |
Rhode Island | 12.9 | Sept. 2009 | 13.0 | July 1988 | 2.9 |
South Carolina | 12.1 | Oct. 2009 | 12.1 | Mar. 1998 | 3.1 |
South Dakota | 5.0 | Oct. 1982 | 5.9 | Mar. 2000 | 2.4 |
Tennessee | 10.5 | Dec. 1982 | 12.4 | Mar. 2000 | 3.8 |
Texas | 8.3 | Oct. 1986 | 9.3 | July 2007 | 4.3 |
Utah | 6.5 | Mar. 1983 | 9.7 | Mar. 2007 | 2.4 |
Vermont | 6.5 | June 1976 | 9.0 | Mar. 2000 | 2.2 |
Virginia | 6.6 | Jan. 1983 | 7.8 | Jan. 2001 | 2.2 |
Washington | 9.3 | Nov. 1982 | 12.2 | Apr. 2007 | 4.4 |
West Virginia | 8.5 | Mar. 1983 | 18.2 | Jan. 2008 | 4.1 |
Wisconsin | 8.4 | Jan. 1983 | 11.8 | Apr. 1999 | 2.9 |
Wyoming | 7.4 | May 1983 | 10.1 | Feb. 1979 | 1.9 |
Note: Data series begin in January 1976. |
p = preliminary.