Employment – Unemployment Rate
This indicator reports the percentage of the civilian non-institutionalized population age 16 and older that is unemployed (non-seasonally adjusted). This indicator is relevant because unemployment creates financial instability and barriers to access including insurance coverage, health services, healthy food, and other necessities that contribute to poor health status.
Source
Source Description
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision-making. As an independent statistical agency, BLS serves its diverse user communities by providing products and services that are objective, timely, accurate, and relevant.
Methodology
Unemployment statistics are downloaded from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) database. The LAUS is dataset consists of modelled unemployment estimates. It is described by the BLS as follows:
The concepts and definitions underlying LAUS data come from the Current Population Survey (CPS), the household survey that is the official measure of the labor force for the nation. State monthly model estimates are controlled in “real time” to sum to national monthly labor force estimates from the CPS. These models combine current and historical data from the CPS, the Current Employment Statistics (CES) program, and State unemployment insurance (UI) systems. Estimates for seven large areas and their respective balances of State are also model-based. Estimates for the remainder of the sub-state labor market areas are produced through a building-block approach known as the “Handbook method.” This procedure also uses data from several sources, including the CPS, the CES program, State UI systems, and the decennial census, to create estimates that are adjusted to the statewide measures of employment and unemployment. Below the labor market area level, estimates are prepared using disaggregation techniques based on inputs from the decennial census, annual population estimates, and current UI data.
From the LAUS estimates, unemployment is recalculated as follows:
For more information, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics web page.
Data Breakouts Available
- Average Annual Unemployment Rate, 2013-2023
- Average Monthly Unemployment Rate, April 2024 – April 2025
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