A Look At Unemployment Numbers In Every State

The unemployment rate reached levels hardly ever seen before due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, the rate was 14.8% — the highest rate since data collection began, according to the Congressional Research Service.

                By                    Bob Haegele                

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Unemployment sharply declined after April, falling to 7.9% by September 2020 and further still to 4.8% by September 2021. It’s clear from the data that unemployment rates are falling and people are getting back to work.

However, large differences remain between states. For example, in September 2021 the unemployment rate was 7.5% in Nevada compared to just 2% in Nebraska.

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This gallery will take a look at these differences across states and see which ones are doing the best right now. The gallery will go from the state with the highest rate of unemployment on the September 2021 report to the state with the lowest rate.

51. Nevada

• August 2021 Rate: 7.7%
• September 2021 Rate: 7.5%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.60%
• September 2020 Rate: 13.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -5.5
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -42.31%

50. California

• August 2021 Rate: 7.5%
• September 2021 Rate: 7.5%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): 0
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 0.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 11.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.5
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -31.82%

49. New York

• August 2021 Rate: 7.4%
• September 2021 Rate: 7.1%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.3
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -4.05%
• September 2020 Rate: 10.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.9
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -29.00%

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48. New Jersey

• August 2021 Rate: 7.2%
• September 2021 Rate: 7.1%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -1.39%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -0.9
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -11.25%

47. New Mexico

• August 2021 Rate: 7.2%
• September 2021 Rate: 6.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.3
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -4.17%
• September 2020 Rate: 9.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -23.33%

46. Connecticut

• August 2021 Rate: 7.2%
• September 2021 Rate: 6.8%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.4
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -5.56%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.2
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -15.00%

45. Illinois

• August 2021 Rate: 7.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 6.8%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.86%
• September 2020 Rate: 10.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.2
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -32.00%

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44. Hawaii

• August 2021 Rate: 7.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 6.6%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.4
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -5.71%
• September 2020 Rate: 15.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -8.4
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -56.00%

43. District of Columbia

• August 2021 Rate: 6.7%
• September 2021 Rate: 6.5%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.99%
• September 2020 Rate: 9.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.5
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -27.78%

42. Alaska

• August 2021 Rate: 6.4%
• September 2021 Rate: 6.3%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -1.56%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -0.7
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -10.00%

41. Pennsylvania

• August 2021 Rate: 6.4%
• September 2021 Rate: 6.2%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -3.13%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -0.8
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -11.43%

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40. Maryland

• August 2021 Rate: 6.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -1.67%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -15.71%

39. Louisiana

• August 2021 Rate: 6.2%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.8%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.4
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -6.45%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.2
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -27.50%

38. Mississippi

• August 2021 Rate: 6.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.8%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -3.33%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.2
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -17.14%

37. Arizona

• August 2021 Rate: 6.2%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.7%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.5
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -8.06%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.3
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -18.57%

36. Texas

• August 2021 Rate: 5.9%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.6%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.3
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -5.08%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.4
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -30.00%

35. Colorado

• August 2021 Rate: 5.9%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.6%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.3
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -5.08%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.4
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -20.00%

34. Ohio

• August 2021 Rate: 5.4%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.4%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): 0.0
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 0.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.6
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -22.86%

33. Delaware

• August 2021 Rate: 5.4%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.3%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -1.85%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.7
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -33.75%

32. Rhode Island

• August 2021 Rate: 5.8%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.2%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.6
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -10.34%
• September 2020 Rate: 11.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -5.8
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -52.73%

31. Massachusetts

• August 2021 Rate: 5.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 5.2%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): 0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 4.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 9.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.8
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -42.22%

30. Washington

• August 2021 Rate: 5.1%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -3.92%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -38.75%

29. Florida

• August 2021 Rate: 5.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -30.00%

28. Maine

• August 2021 Rate: 4.9%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.8%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.04%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -0.2
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -4.00%

27. Oregon

• August 2021 Rate: 5.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.7%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.3
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -6.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.3
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -41.25%

26. West Virginia

• August 2021 Rate: 4.8%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.6%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -4.17%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.4
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -42.50%

25. Michigan

• August 2021 Rate: 4.7%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.6%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.13%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.4
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -42.50%

24. Wyoming

• August 2021 Rate: 4.9%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.5%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.4
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -8.16%
• September 2020 Rate: 6.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.5
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -25.00%

23. Tennessee

• August 2021 Rate: 4.6%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.4%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -4.35%
• September 2020 Rate: 8.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.6
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -45.00%

22. Kentucky

• August 2021 Rate: 4.3%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.3%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): 0.0
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 0.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 6.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.7
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -28.33%

21. North Carolina

• August 2021 Rate: 4.3%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.2%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.33%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.8
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -40.00%

20. South Carolina

• August 2021 Rate: 4.2%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.1%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.38%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -0.9
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -18.00%

19. Arkansas

• August 2021 Rate: 4.2%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.0%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -4.76%
• September 2020 Rate: 6.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.0
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -33.33%

18. Iowa

• August 2021 Rate: 4.1%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.0%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.44%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.0
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -20.00%

17. Indiana

• August 2021 Rate: 4.1%
• September 2021 Rate: 4.0%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.44%
• September 2020 Rate: 6.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.0
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -33.33%

16. Wisconsin

• August 2021 Rate: 3.9%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): 0.0
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 0.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -22.00%

15. Kansas

• August 2021 Rate: 3.8%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): 0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 2.63%
• September 2020 Rate: 6.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -35.00%

14. Virginia

• August 2021 Rate: 4.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.8%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -5.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.2
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -45.71%

13. Missouri

• August 2021 Rate: 4.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.8%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -5.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.5%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.7
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -30.91%

12. Minnesota

• August 2021 Rate: 3.8%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.7%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.63%
• September 2020 Rate: 6.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.3
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -38.33%

11. North Dakota

• August 2021 Rate: 3.6%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.5%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -2.78%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.5
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -30.00%

10. Montana

• August 2021 Rate: 3.5%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.3%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -5.71%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.7
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -34.00%

9. Georgia

• August 2021 Rate: 3.5%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.2%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.3
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -8.57%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.8
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -54.29%

8. Alabama

• August 2021 Rate: 3.1%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.1%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#):0.0
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 0.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 7.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.9
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -55.71%

7. Oklahoma

• August 2021 Rate: 3.3%
• September 2021 Rate: 3.0%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.3
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -9.09%
• September 2020 Rate: 6.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.0
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -50.00%

6. Vermont

• August 2021 Rate: 3.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 2.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -3.33%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -42.00%

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5. New Hampshire

• August 2021 Rate: 3.0%
• September 2021 Rate: 2.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -3.33%
• September 2020 Rate: 5.5%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -2.6
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -47.27%

4. South Dakota

• August 2021 Rate: 2.9
• September 2021 Rate: 2.9
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): 0.0
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 0.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 4.0
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -27.50%

3. Idaho

• August 2021 Rate: 2.9%
• September 2021 Rate: 2.9%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): 0.0
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): 0.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 6.0%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -3.1
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -51.67%

2. Utah

• August 2021 Rate: 2.5%
• September 2021 Rate: 2.4%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.1
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -4.00%
• September 2020 Rate: 4.2%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.8
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -42.86%

1. Nebraska

• August 2021 Rate: 2.2%
• September 2021 Rate: 2.0%
• Month-Over-Month Change (#): -0.2
• Month-Over-Month Change (%): -9.09%
• September 2020 Rate: 3.8%
• Year-Over-Year Change (#): -1.8
• Year-Over-Year Change (%): -47.37%

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