Highest Unemployment Rates by U.S. State or DC, 2024

U.S. states and DC; unemployed share of civilian labor force age 16+, %, 2024.

What the Data Shows

Unemployment rates are compared across U.S. states and DC for 2024. Values are ACS percentage estimates for the relevant population, labour-force or housing denominator in each geography. Nevada ranks first at 6.28%, 0.32 percentage points above Alaska. Illinois is the final listed row at 5.13%, making the first value 1.23 times the final listed value.

Data table

Unit: percent · Period: 2024

RankEntryValuePeriod
1Nevada6.28%2024
2Alaska5.96%2024
3California5.93%2024
4District of Columbia5.63%2024
5New Jersey5.41%2024
6New York5.32%2024
7New Mexico5.27%2024
8Louisiana5.15%2024
9Illinois5.13%2024

Data notes & caveats

The percentage is an ACS survey estimate for the stated geography and period. ACS values are subject to sampling error; close rankings may have overlapping 90% confidence intervals. Each geography has its own denominator, so these values are rates or shares within that geography rather than parts of a common total.

Methodology

The ranking uses the American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates for unemployment rate across U.S. states and DC. Each percentage uses the Census numerator and the matching geography-specific denominator. Entries are ordered from highest to lowest after passing the stated ACS reliability rules. Regional aggregates and geographies outside the stated scope are excluded.

Source consistency notes

All entries use the same Census source family, ACS product, 2024 period, percent unit and reliability rules. No years, products or measurement units are mixed.

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