Which states have the highest unemployment?
In August 2026 the District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate, 5.7%, followed by California and Connecticut at 5.1%. South Dakota had the lowest at 2.0%, and the US rate was 4.1%. Rates are BLS monthly estimates for each state, seasonally adjusted.
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Source and date
- Data as of
- Published
The data
| State | Percent of the labor force unemployed, seasonally adjusted |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 5.7 |
| California | 5.1 |
| Connecticut | 5.1 |
| Oregon | 5.1 |
| Michigan | 5 |
| Arizona | 4.9 |
| Washington | 4.9 |
| Nevada | 4.8 |
| Delaware | 4.7 |
| Illinois | 4.7 |
| Kentucky | 4.7 |
| New Mexico | 4.7 |
| Florida | 4.5 |
| Minnesota | 4.4 |
| Texas | 4.4 |
| Alaska | 4.3 |
| Massachusetts | 4.3 |
| New Jersey | 4.3 |
| New York | 4.3 |
| Oklahoma | 4.3 |
| Louisiana | 4.2 |
| Maryland | 4.1 |
| South Carolina | 4.1 |
| U.S. average | 4.1 |
| Colorado | 4 |
| West Virginia | 4 |
| Arkansas | 3.9 |
| Kansas | 3.8 |
| Pennsylvania | 3.7 |
| Rhode Island | 3.7 |
| Idaho | 3.6 |
| Virginia | 3.6 |
| Missouri | 3.5 |
| North Carolina | 3.5 |
| Utah | 3.5 |
| Alabama | 3.4 |
| Mississippi | 3.4 |
| Tennessee | 3.4 |
| Indiana | 3.3 |
| Ohio | 3.3 |
| Georgia | 3.2 |
| Iowa | 3.2 |
| Maine | 3.2 |
| Montana | 3.2 |
| Wisconsin | 3.2 |
| Wyoming | 3 |
| Nebraska | 2.9 |
| New Hampshire | 2.8 |
| Hawaii | 2.7 |
| Vermont | 2.6 |
| North Dakota | 2.2 |
| South Dakota | 2 |