The U.S. Cities With The Highest And Lowest Unemployment Rates

Unemployment rates fell in three-quarters of large U.S. cities in November. The second straight month of declines for most major markets suggests the modest improvement in the job market is widespread.

The Labor Department said Wednesday that unemployment rates fell in 277 metro areas. They rose in 71 and were unchanged in 29. In October, 281 cities reported having lower unemployment rates, the most in seven months.

The metro area unemployment data can be volatile because they aren't adjusted for seasonal variations, such as hiring for the winter holiday.

Nationwide, the unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent in November, the lowest level in 2 ½ years. Employers added about 120,000 net jobs. Still, a big reason the unemployment rate fell was because more people said they have given up on their job searches and dropped out of the work force.

Below are the cities with the highest and lowest rates:

Comments

[jeighmy]

12:33 PM on 01/16/2012

LOL I had to leave my home state of Texas after a year of unemployment because my husband found work in Yuma, AZ (the second worst rated on the list) Just find it ironic... he makes 100K and was earning 50K in Tx before he was laid off... always exceptions I guess.

[Soft and Gentle]

12:23 PM on 01/11/2012

The conservative fly over part of America seems to be doing OK.

[rewith85man]

04:49 PM on 01/09/2012

So, I guess that companies are now hiring new employees because they don't care about working again.

It does not surprise me.

[Jerry Lammers]

03:57 PM on 01/09/2012

Do you think maybe companies are leaving California because taxes are too high?

[robivecchi]

10:13 PM on 01/09/2012

All of the cities on the list are small and in the poor agricultural/deserted eastern half of the state. Hardly a barometer of what businesses are doing.

[gardema0713]

07:35 PM on 01/11/2012

and their going to TEXAS LOL LOL

[Geoff Abram]

06:38 PM on 01/30/2012

Thankfully all the unemployed areas are the extremely conservative strongholds in CA which make us a purplish state when it comes to state politics, so maybe expect us to finally pass marriage reform, drug regulation, and turn to a bright blue state?!

[gardema0713]

07:28 PM on 01/30/2012

Gee how nice that your happy that your fellow Califorians are unemployed just to make a political point, Im thinking its because the people that live in your neck of the woods are either illegals or on welfare . YOU ARE A VERY IMMORAL MAN

[demilieu]

03:03 PM on 01/09/2012

California has a diverse economy and it will recover fine. Detroit is in a much worse state. This piece has problems.

[bremdog]

12:13 PM on 01/09/2012

If dose four guys der in Nort Dakoda would git back to work der. Da rate would be 0% doncha know ,hey.

[laterthanyouthink]

08:17 PM on 01/08/2012

Looks like "fly over" states to me.

Sorry, left coasters ....

[parrotfish]

07:13 PM on 01/08/2012

Cali is not the place to be unless your are on the Hollywood "A" list. The only Yuma cracked the list all the rest were Cali cities.

[gardema0713]

07:43 PM on 01/11/2012

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU? DO THE CELEBS CARE? I THINK NOT. SACREMENTO IS THE PLACE THAT . HAS TO BE COMPLETELY CHANGED SHAME BEAUTIFUL STATE

[dbishop76]

05:10 PM on 01/08/2012

California's unemployment has a lot more to do with the fact that they suffer too democracy, not because they are "liberal." (Actually, there are only two very liberal places IN Cal - LA and San Fran, the other two large cities, Sacramento and San Diego are quite conservative.)

However, I don't understand why California bothers to have a state legislature at all, when the ridiculous number of ballot measures they have every election do little more than stymie the elected officials.

[mdsman]

08:04 AM on 01/09/2012

To much democracy?

[dbishop76]

08:40 AM on 01/09/2012

Yes. Did you not read the rest of the post? They have for too many ballot measures that render their state legislature virtually useless. A prime example of a direct democracy on EVERYTHING can be a very bad thing. Let the people you elect do their jobs.

[obamathegreat235]

03:32 PM on 01/08/2012

This for you oucwboy on Jan 8, 2012 at 10:21:17 in reference to the insidious, offensive and threatening reply to my previous comment as a result of this statement you made to me:
“You are the liar. He was not there for two terms, One and a half. The Gov before him was impeached. SO with your logic, regardless how much debt at the end is the cause, not what happened before that? OK so Obameo has the highest debt in history and wants to raise the limit again. "Obama will exit office with deficit as high as ever." So it doesn't matter what the debit was before he took office, right?? Or are you just another left wing lib that just tries to twist things to lean your way rather that the TRUTH?? And I guarantee you would NOT call me a lair to my face.”
"The budget deficit was projected at $16 billion by the time Schwarzenegger assumed office, roughly 20 percent of the state's general fund at the time"
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/unfulfilled-94987-analysis-pledge.html
California's unemployment rate was 6.8% in 2003 and as of 2009, California unemployment rate was 12.4%.

[dumocraps]

02:22 PM on 01/08/2012

10 out of 11 cities with the highest unemployment rate are in the Liberal bastion of California. Coincidence, think not.

[traceymarie]

07:03 PM on 01/08/2012

could not be because they are one of the largests states, with high population. You did notice a small state had the number 1 banner and it is , ahem baggerville

[gardema0713]

07:46 PM on 01/11/2012

TEXAS IS A BIGGER STATE THEY HAVE VERY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT

[Luv2gofly]

02:02 PM on 01/08/2012

Interesting...every single one of these cities listed has a huge illegal alien population. Methinks there is a connection..

[laterthanyouthink]

08:21 PM on 01/08/2012

"Methinks"

Middle English has been banned from the Internet ... just so you know.

http://maddyswordup.blogspot.com/2009/05/methinks_27.html

[demilieu]

03:07 PM on 01/09/2012

Blame illegals? Why? They aren't able to draw UI, so they aren't part of the official count. Everything I've read says many illegals have gone home because there's no work here.

[madcityy]

12:03 PM on 01/08/2012

cally needs to look at the good states and cites and follow their leads...................

cally is the pit of the usa,,,,,,,,,thanks to rinos like arnoldddddddddddddddddddddd

[traceymarie]

07:04 PM on 01/08/2012

they have one of the largest exports as well as land mass. Beautiful state with many diverse cities and towns. Split evenly between repubs/Dems

[ggs83]

11:52 AM on 01/08/2012

would be helpful to see more about the jobs lower unemployment
given that I firmly believe that the GOP wants all of us to accept a lower standard of living, would be good to see how the salaries/conditions of the new jobs compare to our current standard of living
thanks

[kaki40]

12:18 PM on 01/08/2012

How do you figure that? GOP wants you to be able to keep more of your money with lower taxes? Sorry but if I got to keep more of the money I earned my standard of living would increase?

[traceymarie]

07:06 PM on 01/08/2012

lower taxes for the top 5% and corporations. Lower wages for everyone while the top gets huge increases. More welfare for corporations but none for the truley needy and poor PEOPLE. HC, meh hurry up and die. That is the gop/bag party.

[Eric Gardner]

03:40 AM on 01/09/2012

No they don't, they want the top to get tax breaks, not middle class...as in they already demonstrated that by wanting to reinstate the payroll tax on middle America..

[gardema0713]

07:54 PM on 01/11/2012

What? How does the GOP want to lower your standard of living? ggS83 IF YOU HAVE NO JOB YOU HAVE NO STANDARD OF LIVING. AND THATS WHAT YOUR UNIOINS DID TO YOUR STATE.

[ggs83]

08:17 PM on 01/11/2012

I am fine but I will again say the best comment I have read---I am not trying to pull the ladder up behind me like the GOP is trying to do
Check some history and you will find that the private sector started lowering wages and benefits in order to increase thier profits to shareholders--ever heard of the Retirement Heist? Did you read the story about the business leaders in Canada trying to lower wages for Canadians because Americans are working so cheaply. the examplesare everywhere. Just pay attention. The GOP wants to destroy unions for two reasons: one is so there is no one left to fight for workers and so there is no one to contribute like to politics like the corporations. Then they will have their oligarchy and we will be serfs and they will be masters.

[ggs83]

08:22 PM on 01/12/2012

my answer to your last comment to me:
So you think that I who can see the pros and cons of unions is brainwashed but you who can only see and speak negatives about unions are reasonable? Really? Wow, now it is I who say why do I bother
Beware: with no unions--none--corporations where is Nothing but PROFITS--will be able to treat workers any way they want; lower wages, lessen benefits. lengthen hours,. You really need to prepare yourself and your kids for what comes with an oligarchy.
And I will say this one more time--this current bunch of Repbulicans are like no others in our history some of who could be supported by by all people.

[cay12]

11:35 AM on 01/08/2012

Many of the comments to this story highlight just how ignorant many people are regarding California. All, and I mean all, of the CA cities listed in the bottom 10 are located in the conservative region of the state. The residents of those cities elect conservative leaders, not liberal leaders. Not one of the cities in the "liberal" areas of the state were listed. One of the primary reasons for the high unemployment in the valley region - the housing market crash and subsequent construction industry crash. Employment rates in the valley were and continue to be driven by agriculture and construction. Oh, and by the way, those are the two industries that tend to hire illegal immigrants.

[sonnychristine]

12:14 PM on 01/08/2012

Ignorant. The greater populous of California is gathered into the metro areas of the state which are predominantly liberal and dictate for the rest, the outcome by voting in liberal left wing coastal progressives . What have you to say about all the regulations jammed through making it harder for generations of ranchers, farmers ect to earn a living. And illegals? Your kidding right? Is this not a problem generated by bleeding heart liberals and activist's keeping the border less than secure? Let me ask you a questuion; can you tell me how many businessess and millionare tax payers exited California the last 20 years and why?....I think you know why....As I said......... I THINK you know. Or will you skirt this as well?

If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute.

Thomas Paine: Rights of Man, 1791

[kaki40]

12:22 PM on 01/08/2012

Well Said...But I would be surprised if they will Get it...or admit it..

[traceymarie]

07:10 PM on 01/08/2012

really, the overreaching of government. How about
laws mandating medical care for women
laws mandating who can get married
laws mandating giving welfare to corporations
laws mandating theocratic laws
all brought to you by the gop/bag party
Corporations and wealthy have had tax breaks and welfare for over 10 years...where are the jobs