Sobering News: Long-Term Unemployment By State
WSJ – Long-term unemployment by state interactive
This is some sobering news, from todays Wall Street Journal.
Todays Journal included an interactive chart showing long-term unemployment by state. WSJ is defining long-term unemployment as lasting over a year. Heres some highlights (if you can call these highlights) from this data:
- In 7 states, long term unemployment makes up over 1/3 of total unemployment so over 33% of the total unemployed in these states have been unemployed for more than a year. If you are considering a move, these may not be ideal states to target:
- New Jersey
- Georgia
- Michigan
- South Carolina
- North Carolina
- Illinois
- Florida
- There was much better news for the following states with the lowest long term unemployment (all 15% or less). These states have much more robust job markets, giving you a much better chance of finding a new job here:
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Alaska
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- Wyoming
It shouldnt surprise you much that these states were also well under the 2010 national average unemployment rate of 9.6% these states beat the national average by at least 2%.
However, the state with the highest long term unemployment rate (over 37%) New Jersey had an overall unemployment rate slightly less than the national average. Additionally, the state with the highest 2010 unemployment rate of almost 15% Nevada had a long term unemployment rate under 30%. So states with the highest unemployment rate dont necessarily have the highest long-term unemployment rates they seem to be caused by other factors.
By examining the chart and its data, youll see, as a general rule, more rural states tend to have better job markets, while more heavily populated states tend to have worse job markets. Perhaps this is due to lower labor costs or a smaller pool of workers in less populated states. Of course there are exceptions (Nevada with high unemployment, Pennsylvania/Maryland/Virginia with lower than average unemployment).
Take a look at WSJs interactive chart and the 2010 Department of Labor numbers behind it here:
WSJ – Long-term unemployment by state interactive
Similar Posts:
- Unemployment Benefits Run Out in New York, Now What?
- Unemployed And Older Workers Face Uphill Battle
- Secretary of Labor Addresses Unemployment in Communities of Color
- Secretary of Labor Addresses Unemployment in Communities of Color
- CCC Supports First Caring Across Generations CARE CONGRESS
