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Local Area Unemployment Statistics
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LAU LAU Program Links

The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program produces monthly and annual employment, unemployment, and labor force data for Census regions and divisions, States, counties, metropolitan areas, and many cities, by place of residence. More »

Announcement

For information on implementation plans of the federal-state cooperative programs for new metropolitan and micropolitan area delineations Read More »

For Your Information

How can I apply for unemployment insurance?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not administer or oversee unemployment insurance (UI) programs. You should contact your State workforce agency for information, using the Department of Labor's Career Onestop Service Locator.

Next Releases:

  • The State Employment and Unemployment data for November 2020 are scheduled to be released on December 18, 2020, at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time.
  • The Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment data for November 2020 are scheduled to be released on January 5, 2020, at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time.

On This Page

 

LAU Economic News Releases

October jobless rates down in 37 states, up in 8; payroll jobs up in 32 states, down in 2

11/20/2020

In October, unemployment rates were lower in 37 states and the District of Columbia, higher in 8 states, and stable in 5 states. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 32 states, decreased in 2 states, and was essentially unchanged in 16 states and the District.
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Oct. jobless rates up over the year in 384 of 389 metro areas; payroll jobs down in 234

12/03/2020

Jobless rates were higher in October than a year earlier in 384 of the 389 metropolitan areas and lower in 5. Nonfarm payroll employment was down in 234 metropolitan areas over the year and essentially unchanged in 155.
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Current

Annual

Jobless rates down in 10 states in 2019; employment-population ratios up in 16 states

03/04/2020

Annual average unemployment rates in 2019 decreased in 10 states, increased in 1, and were little changed in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Employment- population ratios increased in 16 states, decreased in 2, and were little changed in 32 states and the District.
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Archived

Caution: data in many archived news releases have been revised in subsequent releases.

 

Featured LAU Searchable Databases

Databases

Database Name Special
Notice		 Top
Picks		 Data
Finder		 One
Screen		 Multi-
Screen		 Tables Text Files
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)
 Special Notice for LAUS Top Picks for LAUS Data Finder for LAUS One Screen Data Search for LAUS Multi Screen Data Search for LAUS Tables for LAUS Text Files for LAUS

 

Create Customized Maps

Create Customized Maps Maps
Mapping Unemployment Rates (States and Counties)
Mapping Unemployment Rates (States and Counties)
  • Series Report —Already know the series identifier for the statistic you want? Use this shortcut to retrieve your data.

 

Tables and Maps Created by BLS

Monthly

STATEWIDE DATA

METROPOLITAN AREA DATA


COUNTY DATA

    Table
    • Labor force data by county, not seasonally adjusted, latest 14 months (TXT) (ZIP 1,847KB)
    Map
    • Unemployment rates by county, latest 12-month averages (GIF) (PDF)

Annual Average

STATEWIDE DATA

Tables
Maps
  • Latest annual average State unemployment rates (GIF) (PDF)
  • Latest over-the-year change in unemployment rates by State (GIF) (PDF)
  • Latest employment-population ratios by State (GIF) (PDF)
  • Historical State unemployment rate maps (ZIP) (PDF)

    • How to View Zip Files

METROPOLITAN AREA DATA

Tables
Maps
  • Latest annual average metropolitan area unemployment rates (GIF) (PDF)
  • Historical metropolitan area unemployment rates (ZIP 1.8M) (PDF 1.9M)

How to View Zip Files


COUNTY DATA

Tables
  • Labor force data by county, 2019 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2018 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2017 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2016 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2015 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2014 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2013 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2012 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2011 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2010 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2009 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2008 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2007 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2006 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2005 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2004 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2003 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2002 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2001 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 2000 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1999 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1998 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1997 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1996 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1995 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1994 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1993 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1992 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1991 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
  • Labor force data by county, 1990 annual averages (TXT, XLS)
Maps

CITY DATA

Tables

 

Featured LAU Documentation

LAU Frequently Asked Questions

People Are Asking...

  1. Does LAUS have information on labor force participation rates and employment-population ratios?
  2. What changes were made to State and local area labor force estimates?
  3. Where can I find information on metropolitan areas, including recent changes?
  4. What areas have the highest or lowest unemployment rates?
  5. How can I apply for unemployment insurance?
  6. Where can I find out if my unemployment insurance benefits will be extended?

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What kind of information does the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program provide?
  2. For what time periods are data available?
  3. How are the labor force components (i.e., civilian labor force, employed, unemployed, and unemployment rate) defined?
  4. What is the American Community Survey (ACS), and what is the relationship between the LAUS and ACS labor force estimates?
  5. What are metropolitan areas and micropolitan areas?
  6. What are labor market areas (LMAs)?
  7. What is the publication schedule for LAUS program news releases?
  8. Why aren't data for all areas (the nation, states, and substate areas) available at the same time?
  9. Why are labor force estimates for subnational areas different between the LAUS program and the Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment (GP)?

All LAU FAQs »

 

LAU Special Notices

 

Related Links

Other BLS Programs

Other Useful Links

 

Contact LAU

Contact

E-mail: Contact LAUS
Telephone number: (202) 691-6392

Cooperating State Agencies Contact List

 

Latest Numbers

RSS

Unemployment Rates, seasonally adjusted News Release

Alabama
5.8%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Alaska
5.9%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Arizona
8.0%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Arkansas
6.2%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

California
9.3%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Colorado
6.4%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Connecticut
6.1%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Delaware
5.6%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

D.C.
8.2%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Florida
6.5%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Georgia
4.5%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Hawaii
14.3%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Idaho
5.5%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Illinois
6.8%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Indiana
5.0%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Iowa
3.6%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Kansas
5.3%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Kentucky
7.4%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Louisiana
9.4%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Maine
5.4%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Maryland
7.8%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Massachusetts
7.4%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Michigan
5.5%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Minnesota
4.6%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Mississippi
7.4%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Missouri
4.6%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Montana
4.9%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Nebraska
3.0%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Nevada
12.0%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

New Hampshire
4.2%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

New Jersey
8.2%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

New Mexico
8.1%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

New York
9.6%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

North Carolina
6.3%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

North Dakota
4.8%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Ohio
5.6%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Oklahoma
6.1%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Oregon
6.9%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Pennsylvania
7.3%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Puerto Rico
8.3% in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Rhode Island
7.0%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

South Carolina
4.2%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

South Dakota
3.6%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Tennessee
7.4%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Texas
6.9%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Utah
4.1%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Vermont
3.2%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Virginia
5.3%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Washington
6.0%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

West Virginia
6.4%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Wisconsin
5.7%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

Wyoming
5.5%(p) in Oct 2020 Historical Data

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