Current Unemployment Rates for States and Historical Highs/Lows

Current Unemployment Rates for States and Historical Highs/Lows
Seasonally Adjusted
Sept. 2008 p Historical High Historical Low
State Rate Date Rate Date Rate
Alabama 5.3 Dec. 1982 14.4 Feb. 2007 3.3
Alaska 6.8 July 1986 11.5 Sept. 1999 5.9
Arizona 5.9 Feb. 1983 11.5 June 2007 3.6
Arkansas 4.9 Mar. 1983 10.2 Sept. 2000 4.1
California 7.7 Feb. 1983 11.0 Feb. 2001 4.7
Colorado 5.2 Nov. 1982 9.1 Jan. 2001 2.5
Connecticut 6.1 Jan. 1976 10.0 Nov. 2000 2.1
Delaware 4.8 Jan. 1977 8.2 Oct. 1988 2.9
District of Columbia 7.0 Mar. 1983 11.4 Dec. 1988 4.8
Florida 6.6 Mar. 1976 9.7 May 2006 3.3
Georgia 6.5 Jan. 1983 8.3 Dec. 2000 3.4
Hawaii 4.5 Mar. 1976 10.2 Dec. 2006 2.2
Idaho 5.0 Feb. 1983 9.4 Dec. 2007 2.7
Illinois 6.9 Feb. 1983 12.9 Mar. 1999 4.1
Indiana 6.2 Nov. 1982 12.8 Apr. 1999 2.6
Iowa 4.2 May 1983 8.5 Jan. 2000 2.6
Kansas 4.8 Sept. 1982 7.4 Oct. 1978 2.9
Kentucky 7.1 Dec. 1982 12.1 Mar. 2000 4.0
Louisiana 5.2 Sept. 1986 12.9 July 2006 3.2
Maine 5.6 Mar. 1977 9.0 Jan. 2001 3.0
Maryland 4.6 Aug. 1982 8.3 Mar. 2000 3.3
Massachusetts 5.3 Jan. 1976 10.9 Dec. 2000 2.7
Michigan 8.7 Nov. 1982 16.9 Mar. 2000 3.2
Minnesota 5.9 Nov. 1982 9.0 Apr. 1999 2.5
Mississippi 7.8 May 1983 13.7 Jan. 2001 4.9
Missouri 6.4 Apr. 1983 10.5 Jan. 2000 2.6
Montana 4.6 May 1983 8.7 Aug. 2007 3.1
Nebraska 3.5 Feb. 1983 6.8 Feb. 1998 2.2
Nevada 7.3 Dec. 1982 10.7 Apr. 2006 4.1
New Hampshire 4.1 June 1992 7.7 Apr. 1987 1.9
New Jersey 5.8 Feb. 1977 10.6 June 2000 3.5
New Mexico 4.0 Apr. 1983 9.9 Jan. 2008 3.1
New York 5.8 July 1976 10.5 Apr. 1988 4.0
North Carolina 7.0 Feb. 1983 10.2 Apr. 1999 3.1
North Dakota 3.6 Mar. 1983 6.9 Jan. 1998 2.5
Ohio 7.2 Jan. 1983 13.8 Mar. 2001 3.9
Oklahoma 3.8 Aug. 1986 9.4 Jan. 2001 2.7
Oregon 6.4 Nov. 1982 12.1 Apr. 1995 4.7
Pennsylvania 5.7 Mar. 1983 12.9 Mar. 2000 4.0
Rhode Island 8.8 Nov. 1982 9.7 July 1988 2.9
South Carolina 7.3 Jan. 1983 11.4 Mar. 1998 3.1
South Dakota 3.2 Oct. 1982 5.9 Mar. 2000 2.4
Tennessee 7.2 Dec. 1982 12.4 Mar. 2000 3.8
Texas 5.1 Oct. 1986 9.3 Apr. 2008 4.1
Utah 3.5 Mar. 1983 9.7 Mar. 2007 2.4
Vermont 5.2 June 1976 9.0 Mar. 2000 2.2
Virginia 4.3 Jan. 1983 7.8 Jan. 2001 2.2
Washington 5.8 Nov. 1982 12.2 Apr. 2007 4.4
West Virginia 4.5 Mar. 1983 18.2 Aug. 2008 4.1
Wisconsin 5.0 Jan. 1983 11.8 Apr. 1999 2.9
Wyoming 3.3 May 1983 10.1 Feb. 1979 1.9
Note: Data series begin in January 1976.

p = preliminary.
NOTE: Rates shown are a percentage of the labor force. Data refer to place of residence. Estimates for at least the latest five years are subject to revision early in the following calendar year. Historical highs and lows show the most recent month that a rate was recorded in the event of multiple occurrences.

 

Last Modified Date: October 21, 2008