Unemployment: The Hardest-Hit States (CHART)

Michigan has the highest unemployment rate of any state at 14.1 percent, a distinction the state has held for 25 of the last 26 months.

The next-highest unemployment rates after Michigan's were found in Oregon (12.4 percent), Rhode Island and South Carolina (12.1 percent), and California (11.5 percent), according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Friday. The unemployment rate reached double-digits in five states and the District of Columbia in May. The national rate is 9.4 percent.

Some economists have touted "green shoots" and talked up the recession as "bottoming out" this year. But the misplaced optimism hasn't reached everybody.

Progressive economists say that unemployment will likely continue to rise nationwide into 2010. And while economists cheered lower-than-expected increases in job losses for May, the state-by-state breakdown reveals the unevenness of the recession.

Optimism "hasn't been a problem in Michigan," said Judy Putnam, spokeswoman for the Michigan League for Human Services, in an interview with the Huffington Post. "There were no signs of hope in our numbers."

Putnam said her organization is concerned that nearly 90,000 unemployed workers will exhaust their unemployment benefits before the end of the year. "Our biggest concern is that our safety net for folks coming off unemployment benefits has really shrunk. It's really not there," she said.

Putnam noted that if it includes marginally attached workers, unemployed folks who've quit looking for work, and forced part-timers, the "true" unemployment rate in Michigan is 17.2 percent.

Michigan also boasts the nation's weakest-performing metro area, Detroit, according to the Brookings Institution.

Here's a table from the Economic Policy Institute that compares state unemployment levels:

20090619-unemployment-by-state -

Comments

[bynddrvn5]

These numbers are terrible, especially with these unemployment numbers not including a MASSIVE amount of people who are unemployed.

Keep in mind that these numbers do not include all of the people who:

Took a buyout offer from their company and resigned
Non-Profit employees
People who have used up their benefits

You could probably add another 10% to 15% on top of these unemployment numbers to get a realistic picture of the economy.

[nomorefed]

1st 100 days - There are 2.9 million more people unemployed in May than there were unemployed in January. The unemployment rate went from 7.6% to 9.4%.
Since May 2008, we have lost 5.5 million jobs. The biggest losers were:
Manufacturing 1.5 million lost
Finance & Prof Serv 1.5 million lost
Construction 1.1 million lost
Retail & Leisure 1.3 million lost

hat tip to http://www.iamned.comned.com"> for providing good finance and economics articles

where is the change? where is hope? why cant ppl find jobs?

[ATLiberal]

At least show the slightest acumen in economics if you are going to comment on it. We just suffered the worst drop in GDP since the Great Depression in Q4 2008. It was 6%. That is astronomical for single quarter. There is no way to turn that kind of performace around in a few months. It will take a couple of years from that point before we can expect any sort of noticeable turnaround.

You should be glad that it has actually begun to slow down and the stock markets have not further collapsed. That still may happen. The economists that warned of a potential second Great Depression were looking at data, not just shooting the bull. And remember, this was being predicted months before Obama was even elected.

[PerfectSense]

Markets are forward looking and reacted (declined) in anticipation of Obama being elected.

The Q4 GDP decline was at the ANNUAL rate of 6%, the actual decline was about 1.5%

[grk96]

Our entire economy was destroyed by a Republican Administration and yet some choose to criticize those that are trying to clean up the mess. Everyone knew well before January that unemployment would rise well into 2009 and likely 2010.

President Obama could create a few extra jobs for those willing to carry the shovels to clean up after the circus of GOP "elephants" and all that they have left behind for the rest of us!!

Republicans will never be relevant until they have some actual ideas . . . and at this rate that may never happen. Remember the Whigs!!!

[BarakCarpathia]

With all due respect my B.S. meter is going off.
It used to be Dhimmicrats spent money and Repubs saved money.
Now it's Repubs spend money and Dhimmicrats spend MORE money.

[Teckwreck]

Ask Bush, he seems to be a clever guy.

[dennisrs]

It's George Bushes fault--Give Obama a change for the change to take affect!

[dennisrs]

It's all George Bush'es fault!!
Let's Give Obamas change a chance to take effect!

[ThankGodhesgone]

I live in FL and was laid of as a Senior Manager with a Fortune 500 company in January.

I have been denied unemployment benefits as the agency deems that I have not tried hard enough to find employment. They state that I could apply for other Senior Manager jobs in other fields.

I have even applied for lesser management positions, even in other states. One problem - I have no experience or qualifications in these 'other' fields e.g 5- 10 years experience in that field.

Any suggestions as I am at my wits end?

[Tulka2]

We are in much the same situation, but have not fallen so far.

It is small comfort to see these numbers, but at least one understands one is part of a historical calamity and it is not a matter of character. It's all too easy to think it is a matter of character. Go to your public library and ask the reference librarian to help you find pro bono legal help to deal with the unemployment agency. Try to hook up with other unemployed people. The silver lining here might be, in the end, you will find solidarity and support in people your training has taught you were "under" you. Please forgive me if i sound pedantic or patronizing. That is not my intention. I see people all around me suffering from isolation as much as from the economic melt-down.

[ThankGodhesgone]

Thanks Tulka2. You do not sound patronizing. There are people worse off than I am. I still own my house, for now. And we all have to beleive that someday, things will get better. It's the lack of empathy on the part of the agency that infuriates me. I've worked 34 years and never taken a penny in assistance.

The kicker is, they state that I may be eligible in the future, if I expand my work search (to where and what I'm not sure) and demonstrate my willingness to them.

I even went on the unemployment agencies' website to look for jobs in my field (there are none).

I guess I'll just apply for anything to meet their 2 applications a week criteria.

[BarakCarpathia]

Heres my old job:
Senior VP
20 years experience
Started at the bottom in 80's
Averaged 270,000 per year for last 8 years..
Is Ted Kazenski hut still available for sale?
Honestly though, back then I didn't even know where my kids went to school. Plus other things but you get my drift.

[frantaylor]

You gotta fill out the paperwork and jump through their hoops to get the money. I've been there. Do it. Treat these as practice interviews. Then you will be ready when the real job comes along.

[Grannysue]

Seven in my office, which I am the business manager of will be joining them in July! We've been looking but believe me it's grim, especially in my case, I'm 60, don't know if the employers I have interviewed with consider me to expensive, even though I have over thirty years of health care experience, the highest wage offered so far, $12.00 per hour. no benefits. or if they believe due to my age I will inflate their healthcare costs (those offering benefits are very few) or they just think why invest time in someone my age when she's going to retire? Well, I can't retire, I'm using the last of my retirement to try and start a small business, since I don't know what else to do to hold onto my home, and who the hell knows if Social Security is going to be there for me? Two people in the office have found jobs, the rest of us....well who the hell knows!

[kcmookie]

Best of luck to you!

[Tulka2]

My husband's employer casually mentioned to him how high his medical premiums were when my husband turned 59. Three months later, he was the first laid off. No one will hire someone our age because of the bump in health care for the whole company. It's the reason we need to un-couple health care from jobs. Single payer... public option... whatever you want to call it.. must be attached to each person outside of their job. If that happens, experience might count in the job market again. Till then, if you are over fifty, you will never work again, alas.

What a boost it will be to small business to not have to worry about health care for employees. Sounds as if you have a support group of people in the same boat. People have to understand this is not a failure of character. This is a historical calamity. It feels the same either way on the ground, but if we feel it as a failure of character, we are paralyzed. Solidarity!

[iplaw]

Sorry, greedy special interests will never allow a loss of profits in the current bloated health care system. When you exhaust your assets you can get on Medicaid. On the bright side, most of the drugs you were prescribed really didn't do anything, they simply generate profit for Merck.

[janet1003mn]

Could not agree with you more about uncoupling health care and employment. What I CANNOT fathom is why small biz owners (often part of the Repugs reliable voting bloc) are so worried about the tax increases them "d*vil dems" will lay down on them, yet so cavalier about the incredible dent supplying health care to their employees makes in their bottom line. How can they NOT support a single payer/public option?

[WA-violins]

Tulka2, I second that. I was phased out of a development job in 2005 at a university where I worked for 24 yrs. Had to sell my home and move to give myself living capital. I applied for jobs all over the country--there were lots of jobs in my field available at that time. Had great interviews, interviewees indicated I was their first choice, but once their supervisors saw my resume, they said no way. I was 59. In desperation, I started a business in a completely different field, which is now well established and respected. But I spent down a lot of my retirement to get to this point. I'm 63. I took early social security as a safety net, and was very happy I did so, given what has happened in the past year. My business has slowed way down, but it has a terrific reputation and will survive, and coming out the other end of this economic disaster, will be one of the few in my "new" field to survive in my area b/c of the SS safety net. Age discrimination is rampant in this country, in my opinion. Given the hit our retirements, we'll all be working the rest of our lives. Only thing I can suggest is to start a business. Look well outside your area of expertise. Learn something new while you're at it.

[John Adams]

Well, I can't retire, I'm using the last of my retirement to try and start a small business, since I don't know what else to do to hold onto my home, and who the hell knows if Social Security is going to be there for me

Start your business now. What kind of business are you going to start?

[mjc]

I never to amaze me that conservatives do not view unemployment as a significant factor in a country's economic welfare.

[Ohsherrie]

That's because the rich aren't unemployed and they don't care about anybody else. The repugs that aren't rich are too stupid to know that republicanomics are what's keeping them poor. All they care about is the NRA propaganda that tells them the Dems will take their guns.

[DASChicago]

You got it absolutely correct!

[iplaw]

I am a Democrat, but I still plan on keeping my guns. I am sure the German Jews didn't think they had any need of guns in 1935.

[BarakCarpathia]

Any idea who the richest people in congress are?

Dhimmiecrats are the ones that are too stupid.

You guys eat the "poor me" line and Pelosi, Kennedy, Kerry, Harman, Mahoney, Lowery, etc

I'll never understand it.

[BruceCarson]

Stop it with your ripping Democrats. Just because more rich people vote for Democrats does not mean the Democrats don't care about poor people (about 33% of those earning over 150k identify as Democrats, only 31% identify Republican).

[HowietheScreamer]

Repube motto "I got mine, screw everyone else".

[Blufftonian]

Actually I think Barney Frank said that.

[Adartist777]

That's it...I can't take it anymore! Mad as hell too! It's time to reinvent.

[RodtheRotten]

It seems no one can take a joke. This is the American job market we're talking about here. Hasn't anyone ever heard of gallows humor.

[Tulka2]

Some must laugh so as not to cry. Yes.

[Adartist777]

Unemployment has been caused by poor domestic and business policy decisions made by previous administrations. Our political system has let major corporations run roughshod over America's middle class. Our politicians are governing by their own self interests. In some countries, this has caused revolution.

Here in rural western NC (the dark brown blotch on the map), unemployment is very high. Our residents here used to proudly manufacture furniture and textiles. Everybody worked that wanted a job. People weren't unionized, but they made a livable wage if they worked hard. Believe me, nobody was getting rich. But then companies wanted even cheaper labor and then all of the jobs went overseas, even though people here were not overpaid! And you know those jobs will never come back.

We're no longer manufacturing hardly anything in America anymore. We must rely on imported goods for our daily needs. All of our manufacturing jobs were exported to China, Mexico or India. Even bullets that our soldiers utilize in Iraq and Afghanistan are made in Great Britain or the Middle East.

Nationwide, we've been watching what America has become, which is a third world nation. The American Dream is over for many of us nearing retirement. Our children will have to suffer as adults when they've reached working age. This is the legacy that we're leaving them and this is the legacy of deregulated business practices, poor business ethics, political payoffs and the bottom line.

[kcmookie]

Well stated, I take exception to the comment of being a third world nation, but the rest of your statement is very valid, and to that point it does not indict one party or the other. Excellent background on what the underlying issue is.

[HowietheScreamer]

Indeed, I think we've only fallen to 2nd world so far.

[M Wheeler]

While not yet a 3rd world country, if you looked at the state of people's mouths (in terms of dental care) you would never guess we are a 'civilized' country.

[KCFreedom]

This is what the Rockeyfellers like, and its their "plan", so we're stuck with it.

Look at who is getting all of the government bail outs.

[unami]

I have suits in every size.

[fr33d0mhawk]

part of this problem folks, is that the US has had it far better than most of the world for a long time. We know that there is no way the earth could handle every human living to US standards because of the enormous energy consumption. That means it would be unfair for us not to expect a contraction in our economy. It would be great if new inventions could solve current problems, but until that happens we need to learn to conserve, to strive for a sustainable energy supply. Energy is what ultimately drives the economy, and as energy becomes more expensive, economic growth will slow. This problem is so big that its beyond Bush, Clinton, Obama to fix. It takes more than politics to change, it takes will, and that is something that few people have in the US. We all see how things have been going downhill in the US since the 70's. Its part of an overall trend we need to manage.

[theclosetconservative2]

President Obama's missing an opportunity. He could guarantee himself a second term by coming out for tax cuts, and especially drop the corporate tax rate fromm 35% to 12.5% to match that of Ireland. Republicans would back him. His liberal base would be upset but frankly, where else can they go? Contrary to the doomsayers, this would have less of an adverse effect on the deficit and it would bring about a net increase in tax rates because it would increase the tax base. http://theclosetconservative.com

[OfficialA]

If dropping the rate to 12.5% increases a "net increase in tax rates," then why not shoot the moon and drop them to 5%, or 2.5%, or 0%. Or less.

Just how low to tax rates need to go to balance the budget?

[desertman]

Read up on the Laffer curve. You miss his point.

[jelly450]

So now you want to be like Europe? Well Ireland has universal Health Care, are you and the conservatives for that as well?

[theclosetconservative2]

Universal health care would not be something we'd like to emulate. It always leads to rationing. And I misspoke earlier. I meant to say lowering the taxes would lead to an increase in tax receipts, not tax rates. As far as CEO's, just enacting a sunshine law that allowed stockholders to know what the compensation packages were would solve more problems on that end than bringing in more bureaucracy. You want economic growth? Remember, you get more of what you subsidize and less of what you tax. President Obama's promised tax increases. The market's baked that in, and that's why unemployment is only going to go higher. http://theclosetconservative.com

[kcmookie]

How dense can the "tax cut" mentality be? While nice in theory, haven't we seen exactly what corporate america has been doing with any excess in funds? Ridiculous pay for CEO's, profiteering, etc. The current lack of accountability and ridiculous justification of exorbiant pay at the cost of the 'little man' has had a much broader impact than anything. A corporate tax cut would result in nothing more than a bonus money grab at the top, and potentially some trickle down that creates minimal growth. The point is, our system is currently broken, and old ideas like that no longer function, it simply allows the rich to get richer...

[desertman]

Almost as much impact as DC's meddling in the housing market which was a key cause to the sub-prime meltdown.

[gitrdone]

Ireland's unemployment rate is even worse. Their economy was riding on the overinflated credit market, not their low taxes.

[Adartist777]

Sure, our president should drop tax rates....for companies that don't ship jobs overseas.

[KDog76A]

Unfortunately corporations will continue to send jobs overseas because of various types of regulations that re[resent a hidden tax. For example, things like Cap & Trade will prevent domestic production from being cheaper than in emerging markets. i'm not saying we shouldn't have cap & trade necessarily, but you have to tariff Chinese and Mexican products to the point they aren't able compete with American made products. In the customer service and information industries, we won't be able to compete at all even with taxes cut to keep jobs here.... a higher tax rate to send jobs away still ends up cheaper because in India they get paid pennies on the dollar... Why pay $50k a year for a middle manager in the states, when you can pay them $8k a year in India? Then ther is the whole vendor thing, jobs can be outsourced to another company and contracted, so its really not about a company sending the jobs, theey can show 0 overseas payroll, but pay for services via a contract and cut costs, plus exploit your proposal through a loophole.

[RodtheRotten]

Be careful what you wish for. When "right to work" states(Sunbelt) went after rust belt industry, they clearly overlooked the other half of the equation.("right to fire at will")

[desertman]

Actually it's called "at will employment". Either party can end the relationship. I think overall this works best.

[Adartist777]

Nobody is forcing anybody to work at a particular place. "At Will Employment" is just a law to keep unions out of the workplace. Even if you're in a union, you can still quit and can still be fired. Today's union shop stewards won't tolerate incompetent employees and would not defend them in the firing process. They would defend somebody being fired by an incompetent manager or supervisor.

[kcmookie]

My goodness, I do not want to make a broad sweeping insult on here, but it is really clear there are some on here who understand economics very well, and others who don't have a clue as to what they are talking about.

If you are uncertain as to which group you are in, it means you are in the latter.

[Principaldad]

Actually, a more accurate statement is that if you are certain you are in the first group then you are most likely in the latter. The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing (Socrates). Nowhere is this more true than in economics.

[kcmookie]

LOL. Well stated. I am amazed at how many people could learn from that quote of Socrates. Understanding that very few things are firm, and being flexible in adapting to your environment so as to evolve in accordance with the knowledge gained is a gift indeed. In my teens and twenties I 'knew' everything, by my late twenties and early 30's I became intimate with failure, and today I am open to a greater understanding because I realize I do not know everything. I am a lot less miserable.

[boogiewoman]

For the last 10 years jobs have been packing up in Michigan and going to Mexico, and overseas. Big money for the CEO to make huge profits to move. Lifesavers, Brunswick bowling, Whirlpool. It was greed plan and simple. Being loyal to American workers went away long ago. Its awful here in Michigan , everyone is out of work and 14.1% is really just being nice, in most countys it's 20%.

[linfull68]

Amen to that from a fellow Michigander...heard a statistic that every 12 minutes a family of 4 leaves Michigan. With that goes tax dollars. Those of us that cannot afford to move (no jobs, but cannot sell our homes to be able to get a new home somewhere else) are being left to pick up that missing tax base...this ain't over by a long shot. Thinking of taking what little $$ I have left and diggin a hole in the yard...my county is close to that 20%....

[Adartist777]

I miss company loyalty. Excuse me while I get nostalgic.

My parents and grandparents raised me up in the '60's to believe that if you worked hard for a company, you'd have a lifetime job with a good pension. This was the purpose of getting into college. Now, we all know that's gone. My Dad found that out when he was laid off from Lockheed years ago after many years of service.

So much for company loyalty.

[smittyfromthecity]

The purpose of any company is to grow and make money. At no point is the owner of any company obligated to hold someone's job for them. It's harsh, but there is no such thing as company loyalty. With the development of a world economy and the discovery that employers could make/ provide the same goods/services elsewhere for less money, keeping 'loyal' employs no longer made sense. Loyalty was only useful for the employer as long as it kept the employee in line with business interests.

[comeback]

The entire nation will fall prey to Liberal Democrat policy...yes the same policies that destroyed CA,and NY....Entitlements =Taxes...Taxes =Loss of growth...The bigger the government..the smaller the Economy...Obama shouldn't destroy America(there will be Civil War first)..but..we can no longer lead the world...Socialism will drag our Economy way down..while China and India have adopted more Capitalism(they will lead)....If China gets smart(and goes to Full Capitalism).the US will NEVER catch up to them ...Get prepared for a lower standard of living

[confuseddemocrat]

In CA, the problem is all those ballot initiatives that limit state taxes but expand the role of government. In New York, it is taxes and the absurd cost of living...taxes are not forcing landlords to rent an apartment the size of my bathroom for $2500/month.

It is also simplistic and unrealistic of you to compare the US to China and India...

Those countries have large segments of their populations living way below poverty, without simple amenities such as electricity, clean running water, and food to eat.

Many are forced to work in conditions in which they receive extremely low pay, a few dollars a day, and forced to work 60-80 hrs per week with no job security, no workplace safety rules, and no recourse....that is why so many American jobs are being shipped to those places

Are you suggesting we should emulate China and India?

[ThePeoplesKey]

Yeah, don't forget about proposition 13 either. The stupidest property tax policy ever devised.

[ATLiberal]

According to a study by retirement.com ( a sight that recommends where to retire), the average total state tax burden by state on income in the US is 9.7%. New Jersey is number 1 at 11.8%. CA is # 6 at 10.5%. There are 15 states that are over 10% total tax burden. So, are you really trying to say that a point or two higher than average taxes in densely populated states is the cause of economic downfall? CA is less than 1 point over the national average. Hardly a tax and spend free for all that you suggest.

We should focus on solutions, not bogus straw man talking points.

[kcmookie]

Didn't Bush just prove all the theories you just stated as WRONG? I mean based on the theories you are expousing shouldn't we have been approaching nirvana avter 8 years of Bush, instead of our country being in a ditch on the side of the road?

Just sayin.

[desertman]

Bush was a RINO. Just sayin.

[Adartist777]

hey comeback, where were you the past eight years?

[smittyfromthecity]

There isn't anything necessarily wrong with smaller government, but when that translates to less company oversight, less bank oversight and an overall lack of concern towards public institutions such as schools, libraries, prisons, the post office, roads and bridges, etcetera it becomes a serious problem. The conservative ideal of less government should be founded on the idea that no power has the right to morally control you or what you do; not less infrastructure. In a country as diverse and large as the U.S it makes absolutely no sense to shrink government when so much of the population relies on a stable and reliable infrastructure. Its funny to me that Republicans today have actually managed to flip the meaning of conservative: Instead of increasing a sound foundation, they want to shrink it. Instead of allowing the citizens to determine what is right and wrong, they want to decide for you.