For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Friday, March 1, 2013
USDL-13-0340
Technical information: (202) 691-6392 • [email protected] • www.bls.gov/lau
Media contact:
(202) 691-5902 • [email protected]
(NOTE: This release was reissued on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, to incorporate minor corrections
to employment and labor force estimates for Nebraska and, to an even lesser extent, the six other
states in the West North Central division, due to an estimation error. Nebraska’s 2011
unemployment rate changed from 4.5 to 4.4 percent, and its 2011 employment-population ratio
changed from 68.4 to 68.6 percent. Missouri’s 2011 employment-population ratio changed from
59.6 to 59.5 percent. The state employment-population ratio analysis, as well as tables A, 1, and 2
and chart 1, have been modified accordingly.)
REGIONAL AND STATE UNEMPLOYMENT — 2012 ANNUAL AVERAGES
In 2012, annual average unemployment rates declined in 46 states and the District of Columbia, rose in
2 states, and were unchanged in 2 states, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Employment-population ratios increased in 26 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 18
states, and were unchanged in 6 states. The U.S. jobless rate declined by 0.8 percentage point from the
prior year to 8.1 percent, and the national employment-population ratio edged up to 58.6 percent.
Regional Unemployment
Three of the 4 regions had statistically significant unemployment rate decreases from 2011. The West
experienced the greatest decline (-1.2 percentage points), followed by the South (-1.1 points) and
Midwest (-0.9 point). The West, at 9.2 percent, had the only jobless rate significantly higher than that of
the U.S. in 2012. The Midwest and South, at 7.4 and 7.7 percent, respectively, had rates significantly
below the national figure. (See table 1.)
Eight of the 9 geographic divisions had statistically significant over-the-year unemployment rate
changes in 2012, all of which were decreases. The largest of these occurred in the East South Central
(-1.3 percentage points) and Pacific (-1.2 points). For the fifth year in a row, the Pacific had the highest
unemployment rate, 9.8 percent in 2012. The next highest rate was in the Middle Atlantic, at 8.5 percent.
The rates of both of these divisions were significantly above the U.S. average. The West North Central
division again had the lowest jobless rate, 5.6 percent. Two other divisions, the West South Central and
New England, at 6.6 and 7.2 percent, respectively, also had rates significantly below the national figure.
State Unemployment
In 2012, 41 states and the District of Columbia had statistically significant unemployment rate
decreases, the largest of which were in Nevada (-2.1 percentage points), Florida (-1.7 points), and
Missouri (-1.5 points). Twelve additional states and the District of Columbia experienced decreases
greater than 1.0 percentage point. The remaining nine states had annual average unemployment rates for
2012 that were not appreciably different from those of the previous year, though some had changes that
were at least as large numerically as the significant changes. (See table A and chart 1.)
Three states had unemployment rates of 10.0 percent or more in 2012. Nevada again had the highest
unemployment rate (11.1 percent), followed by California (10.5 percent) and Rhode Island (10.4
percent). North Dakota had the lowest jobless rate among states for the fourth year in a row (3.1
percent), followed by Nebraska (3.9 percent) and South Dakota (4.4 percent). Overall, 27 states had
unemployment rates that were significantly lower than the U.S. rate of 8.1 percent, while 13 states and
the District of Columbia had rates significantly above it. (See table B and chart 2.)
Regional Employment-Population Ratios
In 2012, the South was the only region to have a statistically significant change (+0.3 percentage point)
in its employment-population ratio—the proportion of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years
of age and over with a job. The Midwest continued to have the highest ratio, 60.5 percent. The West had
the lowest ratio, at 57.7 percent, followed by the South, at 57.9 percent. These three regions had
employment-population ratios that were significantly different from the national figure of 58.6 percent.
(See table 2.)
The South Atlantic was the only division to have a statistically significant change in its employmentpopulation ratio in 2012 (+0.4 percentage point). The East South Central again had the lowest proportion
of employed persons, 55.4 percent. The next lowest ratios were in the Pacific (57.1 percent), South
Atlantic (57.7 percent), and Middle Atlantic (57.8 percent). Ratios in all four of these divisions were
significantly below the national average. The division with the highest employment-population ratio was
the West North Central, at 64.5 percent, followed by New England, at 61.3 percent. These two divisions,
along with the West South Central, at 59.6 percent, had employment-population ratios measurably above
that of the U.S.
State Employment-Population Ratios
In 2012, six states had statistically significant employment-population ratio increases: Montana (+0.9
percentage point), Florida and Nebraska (+0.8 point each), Kentucky and North Dakota (+0.6 point
each), and California (+0.4 point). The District of Columbia also had a statistically significant increase
(+2.1 percentage points). Connecticut and Iowa had the only significant employment-population ratio
declines among states (-0.7 percentage point each). The remaining 42 states had proportions that were
not significantly different from those of a year earlier, though some had changes that were at least as
large numerically as the significant changes.
West Virginia again had the lowest employment-population ratio among the states, 50.2 percent in 2012.
West Virginia has had the lowest employment-population ratio each year since the series began in 1976.
Four states in the West North Central division again had the highest ratios: North Dakota (69.7 percent),
Nebraska (69.4 percent), South Dakota (67.3 percent), and Minnesota (66.9 percent). Overall, 23 states
and the District of Columbia had employment-population ratios that were significantly above the U.S.
ratio of 58.6 percent and 16 states had ratios that were appreciably below it. The remaining 11 states had
ratios that were not significantly different from that of the nation. (See table C and chart 3.)
_________________
The Regional and State Employment and Unemployment news release for January 2013 is
scheduled to be released on Monday, March 18, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). The Metropolitan Area
-2-
Employment and Unemployment news release for January 2013 is scheduled to be released on
Friday, March 22, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).
-3-
Ta ble A. Sta te s w ith sta tistica lly significa nt une m ploym e nt ra te cha nge s, 2011–12
a nnua l a ve ra ge s
Rate
2011
2012
Over-the-year rate
change
Alabama ..................................
Alaska .....................................
Arizona ....................................
Arkansas .................................
California .................................
Colorado ..................................
Connecticut .............................
District of Columbia ..................
Florida .....................................
Georgia ...................................
8.7
7.6
9.4
7.9
11.8
8.6
8.9
10.1
10.3
9.9
7.3
7.0
8.3
7.3
10.5
8.0
8.4
8.9
8.6
9.0
-1.4
-.6
-1.1
-.6
-1.3
-.6
-.5
-1.2
-1.7
-.9
Hawaii .....................................
Idaho .......................................
Illinois ......................................
Iowa ........................................
Kansas ....................................
Kentucky .................................
Louisiana .................................
Maryland .................................
Massachusetts ........................
Michigan ..................................
6.5
8.3
9.7
5.9
6.5
9.5
7.3
7.3
7.3
10.4
5.8
7.1
8.9
5.2
5.7
8.2
6.4
6.8
6.7
9.1
-.7
-1.2
-.8
-.7
-.8
-1.3
-.9
-.5
-.6
-1.3
Minnesota ................................
Mississippi ..............................
Missouri ..................................
Montana ..................................
Nebraska .................................
Nevada ....................................
North Carolina ..........................
North Dakota ............................
Ohio ........................................
Oklahoma ................................
6.5
10.5
8.4
6.6
4.4
13.2
10.2
3.5
8.6
5.9
5.6
9.2
6.9
6.0
3.9
11.1
9.5
3.1
7.2
5.2
-.9
-1.3
-1.5
-.6
-.5
-2.1
-.7
-.4
-1.4
-.7
Oregon ....................................
Rhode Island ............................
South Carolina .........................
South Dakota ...........................
Tennessee ...............................
Texas ......................................
Utah ........................................
Vermont ..................................
Virginia ....................................
W ashington .............................
W isconsin ...............................
W yoming .................................
9.6
11.2
10.4
4.8
9.3
7.9
6.9
5.6
6.4
9.2
7.5
6.1
8.7
10.4
9.1
4.4
8.0
6.8
5.7
5.0
5.9
8.2
6.9
5.4
-.9
-.8
-1.3
-.4
-1.3
-1.1
-1.2
-.6
-.5
-1.0
-.6
-.7
State
-4-
Table B. States with unemployment rates significantly different from that
of the U.S., 2012 annual averages
State
Rate
United States ...................................................
8.1
Alaska ............................................................
Arkansas .........................................................
California .........................................................
Delaware .........................................................
District of Columbia ..........................................
Florida .............................................................
Georgia ...........................................................
Hawaii .............................................................
Idaho ...............................................................
Illinois .............................................................
7.0
7.3
10.5
7.1
8.9
8.6
9.0
5.8
7.1
8.9
Iowa ................................................................
Kansas ...........................................................
Louisiana .........................................................
Maine ..............................................................
Maryland .........................................................
Massachusetts ................................................
Michigan .........................................................
Minnesota .......................................................
Mississippi ......................................................
Missouri ..........................................................
5.2
5.7
6.4
7.3
6.8
6.7
9.1
5.6
9.2
6.9
Montana ..........................................................
Nebraska .........................................................
Nevada ............................................................
New Hampshire ................................................
New Jersey ......................................................
New Mexico .....................................................
New York ........................................................
North Carolina ..................................................
North Dakota ...................................................
Ohio ................................................................
6.0
3.9
11.1
5.5
9.5
6.9
8.5
9.5
3.1
7.2
Oklahoma ........................................................
Oregon ............................................................
Rhode Island ....................................................
South Carolina .................................................
South Dakota ...................................................
Texas ..............................................................
Utah ................................................................
Vermont ..........................................................
Virginia ............................................................
Wisconsin .......................................................
Wyoming .........................................................
5.2
8.7
10.4
9.1
4.4
6.8
5.7
5.0
5.9
6.9
5.4
-5-
Table C. States with employment-population ratios significantly different
from that of the U.S., 2012 annual averages
State
Ratio
United States ...................................................
58.6
Alabama ..........................................................
Alaska ............................................................
Arizona ...........................................................
Arkansas .........................................................
California .........................................................
Colorado ..........................................................
Connecticut .....................................................
Delaware .........................................................
District of Columbia ..........................................
Florida .............................................................
53.3
63.5
55.6
55.5
56.4
63.2
60.6
57.3
62.9
55.4
Idaho ...............................................................
Illinois .............................................................
Iowa ................................................................
Kansas ...........................................................
Kentucky .........................................................
Louisiana .........................................................
Maine ..............................................................
Maryland .........................................................
Massachusetts ................................................
Michigan .........................................................
60.2
60.2
65.0
64.5
56.3
55.7
60.5
63.2
60.8
54.4
Minnesota .......................................................
Mississippi ......................................................
Montana ..........................................................
Nebraska .........................................................
New Hampshire ................................................
New Jersey ......................................................
New Mexico .....................................................
New York ........................................................
North Carolina ..................................................
North Dakota ...................................................
66.9
53.7
60.2
69.4
65.7
59.7
54.8
56.4
57.1
69.7
South Carolina .................................................
South Dakota ...................................................
Tennessee .......................................................
Texas ..............................................................
Utah ................................................................
Vermont ..........................................................
Virginia ............................................................
West Virginia ...................................................
Wisconsin .......................................................
Wyoming .........................................................
53.9
67.3
57.0
60.8
62.9
66.2
62.7
50.2
63.3
65.1
-6-
Technical Note
This release presents labor force and unemployment
data for census regions and divisions and states from the
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. The
LAUS program is a federal-state cooperative endeavor.
Concepts
Definitions. The labor force and unemployment data are
based on the same concepts and definitions as those used for
the official national estimates obtained from the Current
Population Survey (CPS), a sample survey of households that
is conducted for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by the
U.S. Census Bureau. The LAUS program measures employment and unemployment on a place-of-residence basis. The
universe for each is the civilian noninstitutional population 16
years of age and over. Employed persons are those who did
any work at all for pay or profit in the reference week (the
week including the 12th of the month) or worked 15 hours or
more without pay in a family business or farm, plus those not
working who had a job from which they were temporarily
absent, whether or not paid, for such reasons as labormanagement dispute, illness, or vacation. Unemployed
persons are those who were not employed during the
reference week (based on the definition above), had actively
looked for a job sometime in the 4-week period ending with
the reference week, and were currently available for work;
persons on layoff expecting recall need not be looking for
work to be counted as unemployed. The labor force is the
sum of employed and unemployed persons. The unemployment rate is the number of unemployed expressed as a
percent of the labor force. The employment-population ratio
is the proportion of the civilian noninstitutional population 16
years of age and over that is employed.
Method of estimation. Estimates for 48 of the 50
states, the District of Columbia, the Los Angeles-Long
Beach-Glendale metropolitan division, New York City, and
the balances of California and New York State are produced
using estimating equations based on regression techniques.
This method, which underwent substantial enhancement at
the beginning of 2005, utilizes data from several sources,
including the CPS, the Current Employment Statistics (CES)
survey of nonfarm payroll employment, and state
unemployment insurance (UI) programs. Estimates for the
State of California are derived by summing the estimates for
the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale metropolitan division
and the balance of California. Similarly, estimates for New
York State are derived by summing the estimates for New
York City and the balance of New York State. Estimates for
all nine census divisions are based on a similar regression
approach that does not incorporate CES or UI data. Estimates
for census regions are obtained by summing the model-based
estimates for the component divisions and then calculating
the unemployment rate. Each month, census division
estimates are controlled to national totals; state estimates are
then controlled to their respective division totals. Estimates
for Puerto Rico are derived from a monthly household survey
similar to the CPS. A detailed description of the estimation
procedures is available from BLS upon request.
Annual revisions. Labor force and unemployment data
for prior years reflect adjustments made at the end of each
year. The adjusted estimates incorporate updated population
data from the U.S. Census Bureau, any revisions in the other
data sources, and model reestimation. The population data
(except for Puerto Rico) reflect, for the first time, the results
of the 2010 Census. In most years, historical data for the most
recent 5 years (both seasonally adjusted and not seasonally
adjusted) are revised near the beginning of each calendar
year, prior to the release of January estimates. Though the
labor force estimates are changed for 5 years, the population
estimates are adjusted back to the new decennial estimates
base of April 2010.
Reliability of the estimates
The estimates presented in this release are based on
sample surveys, administrative data, and modeling and, thus,
are subject to sampling and other types of errors. Sampling
error is a measure of sampling variability—that is, variation
that occurs by chance because a sample rather than the entire
population is surveyed. Survey data also are subject to
nonsampling errors, such as those which can be introduced
into the data collection and processing operations. Estimates
not directly derived from sample surveys are subject to
additional errors resulting from the specific estimation
processes used. In table 1, level estimates for states may not
sum to level estimates for regions and divisions because of
rounding. Unemployment rates and employment-population
ratios are computed from unrounded levels and thus may
differ slightly from rates and ratios computed using the
rounded level estimates displayed in table 1.
Use of error measures. In 2005, the LAUS program
introduced several improvements to its methodology. Among
these was the development of model-based error measures for
the monthly estimates and the estimates of over-the-month
changes. Annual average model-based error measures
became available for the first time after 2006. The
introductory section of this release preserves the long-time
practice of highlighting the direction of the movements in
regional and state unemployment rates and employmentpopulation ratios regardless of their statistical significance.
The remainder of the analysis in the release—other than
historical highs and lows—takes statistical significance into
consideration. Model-based error measures are available
online at www.bls.gov/lau/lastderr.htm. BLS uses 90-percent
confidence levels in determining whether changes in LAUS
unemployment rates or employment-population ratios are
statistically significant. The average magnitude of the overthe-year change in an annual state unemployment rate that is
required in order to be statistically significant at the 90-
percent confidence level is about 0.5 percentage point. The
average magnitude of the over-the-year change in an annual
state employment-population ratio that is required in order to
be statistically significant at the 90-percent confidence level
is about 0.6 percentage point. Measures of nonsampling error
are not available.
Additional information
Information in this release will be made available to
sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone:
(202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.
Table 1. Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years of age and over by region, division, and state,
2011–12 annual averages
(Numbers in thousands)
Population
Civilian labor force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment rate
Region, division, and state
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
Error range of rate,
2012 1
United States .......................
239,618
243,284
153,617
154,975
139,869
142,469
13,747
12,506
8.9
8.1
8.0
–
8.2
Northeast ...............................
New England .......................
Connecticut ......................
Maine ................................
Massachusetts .................
New Hampshire ................
Rhode Island ....................
Vermont ............................
44,127
11,605
2,826
1,079
5,289
1,059
842
510
44,378
11,683
2,842
1,083
5,335
1,067
845
512
28,208
7,735
1,902
704
3,470
738
563
359
28,389
7,720
1,879
706
3,475
742
560
356
25,887
7,134
1,733
649
3,216
697
499
339
26,066
7,161
1,722
655
3,242
701
502
339
2,321
601
169
54
254
41
63
20
2,324
560
157
52
234
41
58
18
8.2
7.8
8.9
7.7
7.3
5.5
11.2
5.6
8.2
7.2
8.4
7.3
6.7
5.5
10.4
5.0
8.0
6.9
7.8
6.8
6.2
5.2
9.7
4.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
8.4
7.5
8.9
7.9
7.3
5.9
11.1
5.4
Middle Atlantic .....................
New Jersey .......................
New York ..........................
Pennsylvania ....................
32,522
6,926
15,477
10,118
32,695
6,970
15,567
10,158
20,473
4,545
9,528
6,400
20,669
4,595
9,587
6,487
18,753
4,120
8,741
5,893
18,905
4,159
8,773
5,973
1,720
425
788
507
1,764
436
815
513
8.4
9.4
8.3
7.9
8.5
9.5
8.5
7.9
8.3
8.9
8.1
7.5
–
–
–
–
8.8
10.0
8.9
8.4
Midwest ..................................
East North Central ..............
Illinois ................................
Indiana ..............................
Michigan ...........................
Ohio ..................................
Wisconsin .........................
52,053
36,152
9,942
5,001
7,752
8,995
4,462
52,318
36,306
9,984
5,030
7,784
9,022
4,486
34,265
23,282
6,580
3,158
4,676
5,805
3,064
34,149
23,200
6,593
3,150
4,657
5,748
3,052
31,405
21,144
5,943
2,875
4,190
5,304
2,833
31,631
21,300
6,008
2,886
4,232
5,335
2,840
2,860
2,139
637
283
486
502
231
2,518
1,899
585
264
426
413
211
8.3
9.2
9.7
9.0
10.4
8.6
7.5
7.4
8.2
8.9
8.4
9.1
7.2
6.9
7.2
7.9
8.3
7.7
8.5
6.7
6.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
7.6
8.5
9.4
9.1
9.7
7.7
7.4
West North Central .............
Iowa ..................................
Kansas ..............................
Minnesota .........................
Missouri ............................
Nebraska ..........................
North Dakota ....................
South Dakota ...................
15,901
2,377
2,164
4,153
4,648
1,401
533
625
16,013
2,389
2,177
4,187
4,669
1,412
545
633
10,982
1,659
1,499
2,970
3,022
1,007
382
444
10,949
1,639
1,489
2,969
2,993
1,021
392
446
10,261
1,562
1,401
2,777
2,767
962
369
423
10,330
1,553
1,404
2,802
2,785
981
380
426
721
97
98
192
255
45
13
21
618
86
85
168
207
40
12
20
6.6
5.9
6.5
6.5
8.4
4.4
3.5
4.8
5.6
5.2
5.7
5.6
6.9
3.9
3.1
4.4
5.4
4.8
5.3
5.3
6.3
3.6
2.7
4.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
5.9
5.7
6.2
6.0
7.6
4.3
3.5
4.8
South ......................................
South Atlantic ......................
Delaware ..........................
District of Columbia ..........
Florida ...............................
Georgia .............................
Maryland ...........................
North Carolina ..................
South Carolina .................
Virginia ..............................
West Virginia ....................
89,012
47,146
712
515
15,235
7,383
4,554
4 554
7,403
3,615
6,245
1,485
90,105
47,740
720
524
15,457
7,481
4,601
4 601
7,492
3,658
6,321
1,487
56,160
29,753
441
348
9,275
4,768
3,093
3 093
4,660
2,167
4,198
803
56,525
30,008
444
362
9,369
4,806
3,123
3 123
4,723
2,167
4,210
805
51,237
26,999
408
313
8,322
4,295
2,868
2 868
4,183
1,942
3,928
740
52,174
27,538
412
329
8,562
4,372
2,910
2 910
4,275
1,970
3,962
746
4,923
2,754
33
35
953
473
225
477
226
270
63
4,351
2,469
32
32
807
434
213
448
197
247
59
8.8
9.3
7.4
10.1
10.3
9.9
7.3
73
10.2
10.4
6.4
7.8
7.7
8.2
7.1
8.9
8.6
9.0
6.8
68
9.5
9.1
5.9
7.3
7.5
8.0
6.5
8.3
8.2
8.5
6.4
64
8.9
8.3
5.4
6.5
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
7.9
8.4
7.7
9.6
9.0
9.6
7.2
72
10.0
9.9
6.3
8.2
East South Central ..............
Alabama ...........................
Kentucky ...........................
Mississippi ........................
Tennessee ........................
14,312
3,729
3,366
2,244
4,974
14,405
3,748
3,379
2,254
5,024
8,709
2,182
2,072
1,338
3,117
8,678
2,156
2,075
1,333
3,114
7,894
1,993
1,875
1,198
2,829
7,978
1,999
1,904
1,211
2,864
814
189
196
141
288
700
157
171
122
249
9.4
8.7
9.5
10.5
9.3
8.1
7.3
8.2
9.2
8.0
7.6
6.2
7.5
8.3
7.4
–
–
–
–
–
8.5
8.3
8.9
10.0
8.7
West South Central ............
Arkansas ..........................
Louisiana ..........................
Oklahoma .........................
Texas ................................
27,553
2,252
3,474
2,867
18,960
27,961
2,263
3,498
2,893
19,307
17,698
1,360
2,070
1,784
12,484
17,840
1,356
2,084
1,803
12,597
16,343
1,252
1,919
1,679
11,494
16,658
1,257
1,949
1,709
11,743
1,354
108
151
105
991
1,182
99
134
94
855
7.7
7.9
7.3
5.9
7.9
6.6
7.3
6.4
5.2
6.8
6.4
6.6
5.6
4.7
6.4
–
–
–
–
–
6.9
8.0
7.3
5.7
7.1
West .......................................
Mountain ..............................
Arizona .............................
Colorado ...........................
Idaho .................................
Montana ............................
Nevada .............................
New Mexico ......................
Utah ..................................
Wyoming ..........................
55,861
16,920
4,921
3,924
1,180
786
2,097
1,582
1,993
438
56,598
17,168
4,998
3,990
1,194
793
2,131
1,590
2,028
445
35,897
11,011
3,049
2,723
767
499
1,392
932
1,347
303
35,986
11,029
3,030
2,743
773
508
1,379
936
1,354
306
32,167
10,030
2,762
2,490
703
466
1,208
862
1,254
285
32,665
10,161
2,779
2,524
719
477
1,226
871
1,276
290
3,730
981
287
233
64
33
184
70
93
18
3,321
867
252
220
55
31
152
65
77
16
10.4
8.9
9.4
8.6
8.3
6.6
13.2
7.5
6.9
6.1
9.2
7.9
8.3
8.0
7.1
6.0
11.1
6.9
5.7
5.4
9.0
7.6
7.6
7.5
6.3
5.3
10.4
6.2
5.2
4.9
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
9.4
8.2
9.0
8.5
7.8
6.7
11.7
7.6
6.2
5.9
Pacific ..................................
Alaska ...............................
California ..........................
Hawaii ...............................
Oregon ..............................
Washington ......................
38,941
529
28,979
1,055
3,065
5,312
39,430
537
29,348
1,066
3,097
5,382
24,885
366
18,404
658
1,975
3,482
24,957
366
18,495
652
1,963
3,481
22,137
338
16,237
615
1,785
3,162
22,504
341
16,560
614
1,792
3,197
2,748
28
2,167
43
190
320
2,453
26
1,935
38
171
284
11.0
7.6
11.8
6.5
9.6
9.2
9.8
7.0
10.5
5.8
8.7
8.2
9.6
6.3
10.1
5.3
8.1
7.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
10.1
7.7
10.8
6.3
9.3
8.8
Puerto Rico ............................
2,921
2,915
1,229
1,214
1,033
1,038
196
176
16.0
14.5
1 Error ranges are shown at the 90-percent confidence level and are based on unrounded data.
NA = Data not available.
NOTE: Data refer to place of residence. Unemployment rates are in percent and are based on
NA
unrounded levels. Data for subnational areas reflect revised population controls and model
reestimation. As a result, they will not add to U.S. totals. Data for Puerto Rico are derived
from a monthly household survey similar to the Current Population Survey.
Table 2. Employment-population ratios of persons 16 years of age and over by region, division, and state,
2011–12 annual averages
(Percent)
Region, division, and state
Employment-population ratio 1
2011
2012
Over-the-year
change
Error range of ratio,
2012 2
United States ................................................................
58.4
58.6
0.2
58.4
–
58.8
Northeast .........................................................................
New England ................................................................
Connecticut ................................................................
Maine .........................................................................
Massachusetts ..........................................................
New Hampshire .........................................................
Rhode Island .............................................................
Vermont .....................................................................
58.7
61.5
61.3
60.2
60.8
65.8
59.3
66.3
58.7
61.3
60.6
60.5
60.8
65.7
59.4
66.2
.0
-.2
-.7
.3
.0
-.1
.1
-.1
58.3
60.6
59.5
59.2
59.7
64.7
58.3
65.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
59.2
62.0
61.8
61.7
61.9
66.7
60.6
67.3
Middle Atlantic ..............................................................
New Jersey ................................................................
New York ...................................................................
Pennsylvania .............................................................
57.7
59.5
56.5
58.2
57.8
59.7
56.4
58.8
.1
.2
-.1
.6
57.3
58.7
55.7
58.0
–
–
–
–
58.4
60.6
57.0
59.6
Midwest ...........................................................................
East North Central .......................................................
Illinois .........................................................................
Indiana .......................................................................
Michigan ....................................................................
Ohio ...........................................................................
Wisconsin ..................................................................
60.3
58.5
59.8
57.5
54.1
59.0
63.5
60.5
58.7
60.2
57.4
54.4
59.1
63.3
.2
.2
.4
-.1
.3
.1
-.2
60.1
58.2
59.2
56.0
53.4
58.3
62.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
60.9
59.2
61.1
58.8
55.3
60.0
64.6
West North Central ......................................................
Iowa ...........................................................................
Kansas .......................................................................
Minnesota ..................................................................
Missouri .....................................................................
Nebraska ...................................................................
North Dakota .............................................................
South Dakota .............................................................
64.5
65.7
64.8
66.9
59.5
68.6
69.1
67.7
64.5
65.0
64.5
66.9
59.7
69.4
69.7
67.3
.0
-.7
-.3
.0
.2
.8
.6
-.4
63.9
63.9
63.3
65.8
58.3
68.3
68.3
66.1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
65.1
66.1
65.6
68.1
61.0
70.5
71.1
68.5
South ...............................................................................
South Atlantic ...............................................................
Delaware ....................................................................
District of Columbia ...................................................
Florida ........................................................................
Georgia ......................................................................
Maryland ....................................................................
North Carolina ...........................................................
South Carolina ...........................................................
Virginia .......................................................................
West Virginia .............................................................
57.6
57.3
57.3
60.8
54.6
58.2
63.0
63 0
56.5
53.7
62.9
49.8
57.9
57.7
57.3
62.9
55.4
58.4
63.2
63 2
57.1
53.9
62.7
50.2
.3
.4
.0
2.1
.8
.2
.2
2
.6
.2
-.2
.4
57.6
57.2
56.2
61.7
54.5
57.4
62.4
62 4
56.1
52.6
61.5
48.5
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
58.2
58.1
58.4
64.0
56.3
59.5
64.1
64 1
58.1
55.1
63.9
51.8
East South Central .......................................................
Alabama ....................................................................
Kentucky ....................................................................
Mississippi .................................................................
Tennessee .................................................................
55.2
53.4
55.7
53.4
56.9
55.4
53.3
56.3
53.7
57.0
.2
-.1
.6
.3
.1
54.6
51.6
55.0
52.2
55.8
–
–
–
–
–
56.2
55.0
57.6
55.2
58.3
West South Central ......................................................
Arkansas ....................................................................
Louisiana ...................................................................
Oklahoma ..................................................................
Texas .........................................................................
59.3
55.6
55.2
58.6
60.6
59.6
55.5
55.7
59.1
60.8
.3
-.1
.5
.5
.2
59.0
54.3
54.1
57.8
60.1
–
–
–
–
–
60.2
56.7
57.3
60.4
61.5
West ................................................................................
Mountain .......................................................................
Arizona .......................................................................
Colorado ....................................................................
Idaho ..........................................................................
Montana .....................................................................
Nevada ......................................................................
New Mexico ...............................................................
Utah ...........................................................................
Wyoming ....................................................................
57.6
59.3
56.1
63.5
59.5
59.3
57.6
54.5
62.9
65.1
57.7
59.2
55.6
63.2
60.2
60.2
57.6
54.8
62.9
65.1
.1
-.1
-.5
-.3
.7
.9
.0
.3
.0
.0
57.4
58.6
54.0
61.8
58.8
58.6
56.4
53.7
61.4
63.8
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
58.1
59.8
57.2
64.7
61.6
61.7
58.7
55.9
64.5
66.4
Pacific ...........................................................................
Alaska ........................................................................
California ....................................................................
Hawaii ........................................................................
Oregon .......................................................................
Washington ...............................................................
56.8
63.8
56.0
58.3
58.3
59.5
57.1
63.5
56.4
57.6
57.8
59.4
.3
-.3
.4
-.7
-.5
-.1
56.7
61.8
56.0
56.3
56.8
58.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
57.5
65.2
56.9
58.8
58.9
60.4
Puerto Rico .....................................................................
35.4
35.6
.2
1 Employment as a percent of the civilian noninstitutional population 16
years of age and over.
2 Error ranges are shown at the 90-percent confidence level and are based
on unrounded data.
NA = Data not available.
NA
NOTE: Data refer to place of residence. Employment-population
ratios are based on unrounded levels. Data for subnational areas
reflect revised population controls and model reestimation. Data for
Puerto Rico are derived from a monthly household survey similar to the
Current Population Survey.
Chart 1. Over-the-year change in unemployment rates by state,
2012 annual averages
(U.S. change = -0.8 percentage point)
Mountain
W t
West
North Central
East
North Central
WASH.
MONT.
N.D.
MAINE
Middle
Atlantic
MINN
MINN.
ORE.
New England
VT. N.H.
MASS
MASS.
N.Y.
IDAHO
WIS.
S.D.
MICH.
CONN.
R.I.
WYO.
PA.
IOWA
N.J.
NEB.
OHIO
NEV.
CALIF.
ILL
ILL.
IND.
UTAH
MD.
COLO.
KAN.
DEL.
MO.
W.VA.
KY.
VA.
TENN.
ARIZ.
N.C.
NM
N.M.
D.C.
OKLA
OKLA.
ARK.
Pacific
MISS.
S.C.
ALA.
GA.
TEXAS
South
Atlantic
LA.
West
South Central
East
South Central
FLA.
0.0 point or more
-0.1 to -0.5 point
-0.6 to -1.0 point
HAWAII
-1.1
1 1 tto -1.5
1 5 points
i t
ALASKA
-1.6 points or more
Chart 2. Unemployment
y
rates by
y state, 2012 annual averages
g
(U.S. rate = 8.1 percent)
Mountain
West
North Central
East
North Central
WASH.
MONT.
N.D.
IDAHO
MAINE
Middle
Atlantic
MINN.
ORE.
New England
VT. N.H.
WIS.
S.D.
MICH.
CONN.
WYO.
NEV.
CALIF.
PA.
IOWA
NEB.
ILL.
UTAH
COLO.
KAN.
IND.
DEL.
MO.
OKLA.
W.VA.
VA.
N.C.
ARK
ARK.
Pacific
MISS.
S.C.
ALA.
GA.
TEXAS
N.J.
MD
MD.
TENN.
N.M.
R.I.
OHIO
KY.
ARIZ.
MASS.
N.Y.
D.C.
South
Atlantic
LA.
West
South Central
Eastt
E
South Central
FLA
FLA.
10.0% or higher
8.5% to 9.9%
7.0% to 8.4%
HAWAII
ALASKA
5.5% to 6.9%
5.4% or lower
Chart 3. Employment-population ratios by state,
2012 annual averages
(U.S. ratio= 58.6 percent)
Mountain
W t
West
North Central
East
North Central
WASH.
MONT.
N.D.
IDAHO
MAINE
Middle
Atlantic
MINN
MINN.
ORE.
New England
VT. N.H.
WIS.
S.D.
MICH.
CONN.
WYO.
NEV.
CALIF.
PA.
IOWA
NEB.
ILL
ILL.
UTAH
COLO.
KAN.
IND
IND.
DEL.
MO.
OKLA
OKLA.
W.VA.
VA.
N.C.
ARK.
Pacific
MISS.
S.C.
ALA.
GA.
TEXAS
N.J.
MD.
TENN.
NM
N.M.
R.I.
OHIO
KY.
ARIZ.
MASS
MASS.
N.Y.
D.C.
South
Atlantic
LA.
West
South Central
East
South Central
FLA.
62.0% or higher
HAWAII
ALASKA
57 0% tto 61
57.0%
61.9%
9%
56.9% or lower