Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly)

January 22, 2010

In December, 43 states and the District of Columbia recorded over-the-month unemployment rate increases, 4 states registered decreases, and 3 states had no change. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 11 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in 39 states. More »

Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly)

February 02, 2010

Unemployment rates were higher in December than a year earlier in 371 of the 372 metropolitan areas and lower in 1 area. Among the 369 metropolitan areas for which nonfarm payroll employment were available, 356 areas reported over-the-year decreases in employment, 12 reported increases, and 1 remained unchanged. More »

Current

• Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (HTML) (PDF)
• Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (HTML) (PDF)
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• Schedule of Upcoming Releases

Annual

Regional and State Unemployment

February 27, 2009

In 2008, annual average jobless rates rose in all 4 regions and in 46 states and the District of Columbia, declined in 1 state, and were unchanged in 3 states. Employment-population ratios were down in all 4 regions and in 45 states and the District of Columbia, up in 3 states, and were unchanged in 2 states. More...
(HTML) (PDF)

Archived

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

• Archived Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Releases (1993-forward)
• Archived Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment Releases (1998-forward)
• Archived Regional and State Unemployment (Annual) Releases (1992-forward)

• Please note that the "Get Detailed LAUS Statistics" tools for data retrieval will be unavailable from 10:00 AM to approximately 10:30 AM on the day of a Local Area Unemployment Statistics release because the LAUS database is updated during that time. A schedule of upcoming release dates is available at www.bls.gov/lau/lausched.htm.

• Instructions for Extracting Data--Quick, easy instructions on how to extract Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data.

Databases

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Tutorials: For help, try these tutorials
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

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Mapping Unemployment Rates (States, Metropolitan Areas, Counties)

• Series Report —Already know the series identifier for the statistic you want? Use this shortcut to retrieve your data.

Monthly

STATEWIDE DATA

Tables

• Current Unemployment Rates for States and Historical Highs/Lows
• Unemployment Rates for States
• Over-the-Month Change in Unemployment Rates for States
• Over-the-Year Change in Unemployment Rates for States
• Employment Status of the Civilian Noninstitutional Population by State

Map

• Unemployment rates by state, seasonally adjusted (GIF)
• Unemployment rates by state, seasonally adjusted (PDF)

METROPOLITAN AREA DATA

Tables

• Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas
• Over-the-Year Change in Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas
• Unemployment Rates for Large Metropolitan Areas
• Over-the-Year Change in Unemployment Rates for Large Metropolitan Areas

Map

• Unemployment Rates by Metropolitan Area, not seasonally adjusted (GIF)
• Unemployment Rates by Metropolitan Area, not seasonally adjusted (PDF)

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)

NEW ENGLAND DATA BY
MINOR CIVIL DIVISION

Map

• Unemployment rates in New England by Minor Civil Division, latest 12-month averages (GIF) (PDF)

Annual Average

STATEWIDE DATA

Tables

• Unemployment rates for States:
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
• Over-the-year change in unemployment rates for States:
• 2007-2008
• 2006-2007
• 2005-2006
• 2004-2005
• 2003-2004
• 2002-2003
• 2001-2002
• 2000-2001
• 1999-2000
• Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by state
• Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment, Section II: Estimates for States, 2004
• Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population in states by sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and detailed age (preliminary):
• 2009 Annual Averages (PDF)
NEW
• 2008 Annual Averages (PDF)
• 2007 Annual Averages (PDF)
• 2006 Annual Averages (PDF)
• Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population in states by sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, marital status, and detailed age:
• 2005 Annual Averages (PDF)
• 2004 Annual Averages (PDF)
• 2003 Annual Averages (PDF)
• Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population in states by sex, detailed age, race, and Hispanic origin:
• 2002 Annual Averages (PDF)
• 2001 Annual Averages (PDF)
• 2000 Annual Averages (PDF)
• 1999 Annual Averages (PDF)
• Notes on using data

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 732K) (PDF 3,292K)

  How to View Zip Files

METROPOLITAN AREA DATA

Tables

• Unemployment rates for metropolitan areas:
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
• Unemployment rates for large metropolitan areas:
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
• Over-the-year change in unemployment rates for metropolitan areas:
  • 2007-2008
  • 2006-2007
  • 2005-2006
  • 2004-2005
  • 2003-2004
  • 2002-2003
  • 2001-2002
  • 2000-2001
• Over-the-year change in unemployment rates for large metropolitan areas:
  • 2007-2008
  • 2006-2007
  • 2005-2006
  • 2004-2005
  • 2003-2004
  • 2002-2003
  • 2001-2002
  • 2000-2001
• Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment, Section III: Estimates for metropolitan areas and cities, 2004

Maps

• Latest annual average metropolitan area unemployment rates (GIF) (PDF)
• Historical metropolitan area unemployment rates (ZIP 1,303KB)(PDF 1,661KB)

How to View Zip Files

COUNTY DATA

Tables

• Labor force data by county, 2008 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 2007 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 2006 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 2005 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 2004 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 2003 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 164KB)
• Labor force data by county, 2002 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 168KB)
• Labor force data by county, 2001 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 168KB)
• Labor force data by county, 2000 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1999 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1998 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1997 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1996 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1995 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1994 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1993 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1992 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1991 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)
• Labor force data by county, 1990 annual averages (TXT, ZIP 167KB)

Maps

• Latest annual average county unemployment rates (GIF) (PDF)
• Historical county unemployment rates (ZIP 2,611KB) (PDF 3,517KB)

  How to View Zip Files

NEW ENGLAND DATA BY
MINOR CIVIL DIVISION

Maps

• Latest annual average Minor Civil Division unemployment rates (GIF) (PDF)
• Historical Minor Civil Division unemployment rates (ZIP 2,644KB) (PDF 2,744KB)

  How to View Zip Files

CITY DATA

Tables

• Unemployment rates for the 50 largest cities
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
• Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment, Section III: Estimates for metropolitan areas and cities, 2004

• Smoothed-Seasonally-Adjusted Estimates (SSA) Questions and Answers
NEW
• Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for States
NEW
• American Community Survey (ACS) Questions and Answers
• Information on Model-Based Error Measures for Regions, Divisions, and States
• Changes to State and local area labor force estimation in 2005
• Administrative Uses of Local Area Unemployment (PDF)
• Administrative Uses of LAUS Data Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (PDF) NEW
• Labor Market Area Directory, 2009 (PDF)
• Data Availability
• LAUS Estimation Methodology
• Labor Force Concepts (PDF)
• Geographic Concepts
• Definitions of Areatypes
• Seasonal Adjustment
• Differences Between Data Series
• Differences Between Decennial Census and LAUS Data
• Region and Division Labor Force Data FAQs
• Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment, 2004

People Are Asking...

1. Does LAUS have information on labor force participation rates and employment-population ratios?
2. What is the relationship between the LAUS and American Community Survey labor force estimates?
3. Where can I get more information on the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Local Area Unemployment Statistics?
4. What changes were made to State and local area labor force estimates?
5. Where can I find information on metropolitan areas, including recent changes?
6. What areas have the highest or lowest unemployment rates?
7. How can I apply for unemployment insurance?
8. Where can I find out if my unemployment insurance benefits will be extended?
9. Since you do not have the data I need, where can I get them?

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 noninstitutional population, civilian labor force, employed, unemployed, and unemployment rate) defined?
4. What are metropolitan areas?
5. What are labor market areas?
6. What is the publication schedule for LAUS program news releases?
7. Why aren't data for all areas (the Nation, states, and substate areas) available at the same time?
8. Why are the labor force estimates for areas and cities different between the LA (Local Area) and GP (Geographic Profile) series?
9. What is the difference between job losers and the unemployed?

All LAU FAQs »

• Important Information on Local Area Unemployment Statistics database series

Other BLS Programs

• Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment—subnational demographic labor force data from the Current Population Survey. This includes data for Census Regions and Divisions, States including the District of Columbia, 50 large Metropolitan Areas, and 17 large Cities.
• Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey—national data on employment, unemployment, earnings, and other labor market topics by demographic characteristics.
• Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (National)—monthly national data by detailed industry on employment, hours, and earnings of workers on the payrolls of  nonfarm establishments.
• Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (State and Metro Area)—monthly data on employment, hours, and earnings by industry and geographic area.
• Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages—comprehensive employment and wage data by industry and geographic area for workers covered by State Unemployment Insurance laws.
• Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)—monthly data on job openings, hires, and separations that serve as demand-side indicators of labor shortages at the national level.
• Occupational Employment Statistics—data on employment and wages for over 800 occupations and for about 400 nonfarm industries for the nation, plus occupational data for States and metropolitan areas.
• National Longitudinal Surveys—several surveys gathering information at multiple points in time about the labor market and life experiences of six groups of American men, women, and youth.
• Mass Layoff Statistics—reports on mass layoff actions that result in workers being separated from their jobs.
• Survey of Employer-Provided Training—provides detailed information on training by major industry division and by size of establishment from surveys conducted in 1993 and 1995.

Other Useful Links

• Information about Unemployment Insurance—this Department of Labor site provides links to local One-Stop services

Contact

Telephone number: (202) 691-6392

Cooperating State Agencies Contact List