The United States is in an unprecedented period of employment growth, gaining jobs for over 100 straight months. As the number of Americans working has increased, the unemployment rate has shrunk, down to 3.8% in June 2019, close to its lowest point in decades.
But job growth and unemployment levels are far from uniform across the country. Many counties have an unemployment rate more than double the national rate. In fact, there are several counties with double-digit unemployment rates. In a handful of counties, the unemployment rate is approaching 20%.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the counties and county equivalents with the highest unemployment rates.
Educational attainment and unemployment tend to be strongly correlated, as those with a college degree are often more attractive candidates for a given job compared to those without a degree. This can make it more difficult for workers who do not have at least a bachelor’s degree to find steady work. In all 50 of the counties with the highest unemployment rates, the bachelor’s degree attainment rate for adults is below the U.S. rate of 30.9%. Over half of the 50 counties with the highest unemployment rates are located in the five states with the lowest adult bachelor’s attainment rates in the country. These are America’s most and least educated states.
Unemployment can be a major financial strain, not just on those looking for a job but on the community as well. Localities, states, and the federal government often provide financial aid to the unemployed. Children of unemployed parents can face serious, long-term negative psychological effects. Anti-poverty subsidies and tax credits can help families facing unemployment and lift children out of poverty. These are the states lifting the most children out of poverty.
Click here to see the 50 counties with the highest unemployment
Click here to read our methodology
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
50. Clay County, Georgia
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.1%
> June 2015 unemployment: 12.2%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Poverty rate: 41.4%
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
49. Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.2%
> June 2015 unemployment: 10.7%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 15.0%
> Poverty rate: 32.5%
Source: brier5hill / Flickr
48. Leslie County, Kentucky
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.2%
> June 2015 unemployment: 11.2%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 8.9%
> Poverty rate: 34.5%
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
47. Noxubee County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.2%
> June 2015 unemployment: 11.3%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 12.9%
> Poverty rate: 34.9%
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Source: keepphotos / Getty Images
46. Clay County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.3%
> June 2015 unemployment: 10.8%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 19.3%
> Poverty rate: 26.6%
Source: mlhradio / Flickr
45. Zavala County, Texas
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.3%
> June 2015 unemployment: 12.0%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 7.6%
> Poverty rate: 36.2%
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Source: 71670325@N03 / Flickr
44. Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.3%
> June 2015 unemployment: 12.2%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 13.9%
> Poverty rate: 27.6%
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Source: Raulersongirlstravel / Getty Images
43. Keweenaw County, Michigan
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 9.0%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 25.1%
> Poverty rate: 14.5%
Source: Matthew Nichols / Wikimedia Commons
42. Bolivar County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 9.2%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 22.9%
> Poverty rate: 37.4%
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Source: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD / Wikimedia Commons
41. Walthall County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 9.7%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 10.3%
> Poverty rate: 26.3%
Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons
40. Santa Cruz County, Arizona
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 10.6%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 22.1%
> Poverty rate: 21.8%
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
39. McKinley County, New Mexico
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 10.8%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 10.8%
> Poverty rate: 37.5%
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
38. Sunflower County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.5%
> June 2015 unemployment: 11.4%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 14.5%
> Poverty rate: 32.5%
Source: Courtesy of tinkerbrad via Flickr
37. Washington County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.5%
> June 2015 unemployment: 11.5%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 19.0%
> Poverty rate: 33.7%
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Source: Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) / Wikimedia Commons
36. Coahoma County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.5%
> June 2015 unemployment: 11.6%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 16.9%
> Poverty rate: 36.2%
Source: J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
35. Menominee County, Wisconsin
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.6%
> June 2015 unemployment: 10.5%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 15.9%
> Poverty rate: 35.8%
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Source: W.marsh / Wikimedia Commons
34. Elliott County, Kentucky
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.8%
> June 2015 unemployment: 9.3%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 7.5%
> Poverty rate: 34.4%
Source: Bubba73 / Wikimedia Commons
33. Wheeler County, Georgia
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.8%
> June 2015 unemployment: 12.1%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 8.1%
> Poverty rate: 29.3%
Source: virginiaretail / Flickr
32. Harlan County, Kentucky
> June 2019 unemployment: 8.8%
> June 2015 unemployment: 13.4%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 11.4%
> Poverty rate: 35.6%
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Source: nataliemaynor / Flickr
31. Kemper County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.0%
> June 2015 unemployment: 12.6%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 13.1%
> Poverty rate: 31.8%
Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
30. West Carroll Parish, Louisiana
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.0%
> June 2015 unemployment: 14.0%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 12.0%
> Poverty rate: 22.0%
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Source: W.marsh / Wikimedia Commons
29. Carter County, Kentucky
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.1%
> June 2015 unemployment: 10.6%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 14.0%
> Poverty rate: 21.5%
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Source: tupungato / Getty Images
28. Tulare County, California
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.1%
> June 2015 unemployment: 11.2%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 13.8%
> Poverty rate: 27.1%
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
27. Willacy County, Texas
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.1%
> June 2015 unemployment: 14.5%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Poverty rate: 35.6%
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Source: Anthony George / Flickr
26. Madison Parish, Louisiana
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.2%
> June 2015 unemployment: 9.9%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 13.4%
> Poverty rate: 36.4%
Source: FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore - self-made Russell and Sydney Poore Lewis County courthouse in Vanceburg, Kentucky / Wikimedia Commons
25. Lewis County, Kentucky
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.3%
> June 2015 unemployment: 8.9%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 12.1%
> Poverty rate: 26.1%
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24. Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.3%
> June 2015 unemployment: 11.2%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 16.0%
> Poverty rate: 16.5%
Source: Magnolia677 / Wikimedia Commons
23. McDowell County, West Virginia
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 13.2%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 4.9%
> Poverty rate: 34.9%
Source: formulanone / Flickr
22. Quitman County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.5%
> June 2015 unemployment: 12.2%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 11.8%
> Poverty rate: 37.5%
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Source: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / Wikimedia Commons
21. Calhoun County, West Virginia
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.6%
> June 2015 unemployment: 9.9%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 10.6%
> Poverty rate: 17.1%
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
20. Humphreys County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.6%
> June 2015 unemployment: 14.1%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 13.6%
> Poverty rate: 40.5%
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Source: montezano / Wikimedia Commons
19. Starr County, Texas
> June 2019 unemployment: 9.8%
> June 2015 unemployment: 14.1%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Poverty rate: 35.0%
Source: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons
18. Dewey County, South Dakota
> June 2019 unemployment: 10.0%
> June 2015 unemployment: 15.0%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 14.6%
> Poverty rate: 31.4%
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
17. Luna County, New Mexico
> June 2019 unemployment: 10.3%
> June 2015 unemployment: 15.8%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 14.1%
> Poverty rate: 31.8%
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
16. Tensas Parish, Louisiana
> June 2019 unemployment: 10.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 11.0%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Poverty rate: 38.0%
Source: A. Balet / Wikimedia Commons
15. Ferry County, Washington
> June 2019 unemployment: 10.5%
> June 2015 unemployment: 9.0%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 17.5%
> Poverty rate: 21.2%
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Source: CampPhoto / Getty Images
14. Colusa County, California
> June 2019 unemployment: 10.5%
> June 2015 unemployment: 12.9%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 15.7%
> Poverty rate: 14.0%
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Source: CampPhoto / Getty Images
13. Apache County, Arizona
> June 2019 unemployment: 11.1%
> June 2015 unemployment: 13.7%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 11.5%
> Poverty rate: 35.9%
Source: kenlund / Flickr
12. Wilkinson County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 11.3%
> June 2015 unemployment: 12.7%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 14.9%
> Poverty rate: 38.7%
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
11. Holmes County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 11.5%
> June 2015 unemployment: 13.5%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 10.7%
> Poverty rate: 46.5%
Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
10. East Carroll Parish, Louisiana
> June 2019 unemployment: 11.5%
> June 2015 unemployment: 15.6%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 9.8%
> Poverty rate: 48.2%
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Source: Tiago_Fernandez / Getty Images
9. Issaquena County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 11.9%
> June 2015 unemployment: 17.6%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 6.1%
> Poverty rate: 40.3%
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Source: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie) / Wikimedia Commons
8. Telfair County, Georgia
> June 2019 unemployment: 12.2%
> June 2015 unemployment: 10.8%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 8.1%
> Poverty rate: 27.7%
Source: Andrew Filer / Flickr
7. Rolette County, North Dakota
> June 2019 unemployment: 12.2%
> June 2015 unemployment: 14.0%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 20.7%
> Poverty rate: 32.4%
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Source: nataliemaynor / Flickr
6. Claiborne County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 12.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 14.8%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 18.8%
> Poverty rate: 45.9%
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
5. Magoffin County, Kentucky
> June 2019 unemployment: 12.4%
> June 2015 unemployment: 16.0%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 10.1%
> Poverty rate: 28.6%
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Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
4. Jefferson County, Mississippi
> June 2019 unemployment: 17.2%
> June 2015 unemployment: 17.7%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 12.7%
> Poverty rate: 47.0%
Source: Education Specialist / Wikimedia Commons
3. Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
> June 2019 unemployment: 17.6%
> June 2015 unemployment: 16.8%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 10.8%
> Poverty rate: 25.3%
Source: santalechuga / Getty Images
2. Imperial County, California
> June 2019 unemployment: 18.6%
> June 2015 unemployment: 24.8%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 14.3%
> Poverty rate: 23.8%
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Source: Cheri Alguire / Getty Images
1. Yuma County, Arizona
> June 2019 unemployment: 19.6%
> June 2015 unemployment: 22.3%
> Adults w/ bachelor’s degree: 14.3%
> Poverty rate: 19.7%
Methodology
To identify the counties with the highest unemployment rates, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on unemployment rates from June 2015 to June 2019 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in all counties and county equivalents. Unemployment rates are for June and not seasonally adjusted. We included counties, parishes, boroughs, and unorganized boroughs in our analysis. Poverty rates, educational attainment rates, and median household incomes came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey 5-Year estimates.
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