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In this article, we will explore the unemployment rate in the United States over the past decade, providing a comprehensive overview of how the job market has evolved.
The data timeline begins in 2011, following the recovery from the Great Recession, which saw unemployment peak at 10.6% in January 2010. Despite improvements, many states still faced unemployment rates above 10%, with Nevada experiencing a staggering rate of over 13%—the highest recorded for several years as the economy gradually improved.
Quick Unemployment Timeline
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June 2013: Nevada drops below 10%, marking a significant milestone as all states fall below this threshold.
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January 2014: Every state reports unemployment rates below 9%.
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July 2014: Every state sees unemployment rates drop below 8%.
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July 2015: Every state achieves unemployment below 7%, indicating a solid recovery in the job market.
Understanding the Unemployment Graph
The unemployment graph visually represents the severity of unemployment across states. Darker colors indicate higher unemployment rates, with 10%+ considered critical and rates below 5% deemed excellent. The bars reflect the severity of each state’s unemployment compared to the worst rates recorded over the past decade, rather than directly comparing states to one another.
This visualization highlights the 15 states with the highest unemployment rates each month, showcasing trends over time.
General Unemployment Trends
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The last years of the Obama administration and the initial years of the Trump administration witnessed a steady improvement in the job market, with decreasing unemployment rates.
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Southern states and Alaska often exhibited higher unemployment rates during this period, although no significant long-term trends emerged.
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By February 2020, all states had successfully reduced unemployment rates to below 6%.
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Nevada set a record in April 2021 with an astonishing 29.5% unemployment rate, a stark increase due to the pandemic’s impact on the labor market.
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As the job market stabilized, states heavily reliant on tourism and more stringent regulations continued to struggle compared to the national average.
Current Unemployment Rate By State (April 2021)
| State | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 3.6% |
| Alaska | 6.7% |
| Arizona | 6.7% |
| Arkansas | 4.4% |
| California | 8.3% |
| Colorado | 6.4% |
| Connecticut | 8.1% |
| Delaware | 6.4% |
| District of Columbia | 7.5% |
| Florida | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 4.3% |
| Hawaii | 8.5% |
| Idaho | 3.1% |
| Illinois | 7.1% |
| Indiana | 3.9% |
| Iowa | 3.8% |
| Kansas | 3.5% |
| Kentucky | 4.7% |
| Louisiana | 7.3% |
| Maine | 4.8% |
| Maryland | 6.2% |
| Massachusetts | 6.5% |
| Michigan | 4.9% |
| Minnesota | 4.1% |
| Mississippi | 6.2% |
| Missouri | 4.1% |
| Montana | 3.7% |
| Nebraska | 2.8% |
| Nevada | 8% |
| New Hampshire | 2.8% |
| New Jersey | 7.5% |
| New Mexico | 8.2% |
| New York | 8.2% |
| North Carolina | 5% |
| North Dakota | 4.2% |
| Ohio | 4.7% |
| Oklahoma | 4.3% |
| Oregon | 6% |
| Pennsylvania | 7.4% |
| Rhode Island | 6.3% |
| South Carolina | 5% |
| South Dakota | 2.8% |
| Tennessee | 5% |
| Texas | 6.7% |
| Utah | 2.8% |
| Vermont | 2.9% |
| Virginia | 4.7% |
| Washington | 5.5% |
| West Virginia | 5.8% |
| Wisconsin | 3.9% |
| Wyoming | 5.4% |
As we look to the future, understanding the trends in unemployment rates can help job seekers and businesses alike navigate the evolving labor market landscape. It’s essential to stay informed and adapt to the changes in hiring practices and economic conditions. By leveraging this knowledge, individuals can better position themselves for success in their careers.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
