After crashing from a five-decade best national jobless rate of 3.5% in February to a multi decade high of 14.7% in April, the figure settled at 6.7% in December. Based on the country’s rate over the last five years, that is still high. The total number of people unemployed in December was 10.73 million compared to 5.84 million in December 2019.
Unemployment rates varied significantly by city according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment Summary for December 2020. Among the data the BLS follows each month is the jobless rate in the 51 metropolitan areas with a 2010 Census population of one million or more. In December, among these Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV had an unemployment rate of 10.4%. This has been attributed mostly to the collapse of tourism to gambling mecca due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lowest rate was 3.5% in both Birmingham-Hoover, AL, and Salt Lake City, UT. The unemployment rate rose in each of the 51 metros from December 2019 to December 2020.
24/7 Wall St. looked at several ways that city job situations are measured. The first is the unemployment rate most often seen by the public. The next is the size of the civilian labor force in each city. This does not include government or farm workers, or people who work for non-profits. The city with the largest figure for civilian labor force is the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro at 9,521,481. The next data point is the number of people who are unemployed. For New York, this was 797,026 in December. For all other metros we examined, we looked at each of these three figures for both December 2019 and December 2020.
Click here to see the US cities where the most people are out of work.
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
51. Birmingham-Hoover, AL
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 22,486
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 4.1%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 13,603
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.4%
> Population: 1,090,435
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Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images
50. Salt Lake City, UT
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 26,059
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 3.8%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 15,812
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.3%
> Population: 1,232,696
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
49. Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 26,890
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 4.8%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 16,047
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.8%
> Population: 1,077,370
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
48. Richmond, VA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 34,259
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 19,288
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.8%
> Population: 1,290,866
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Source: Urbanative / Wikimedia Commons
47. Oklahoma City, OK
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 35,784
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 20,945
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.0%
> Population: 1,408,950
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
46. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 35,877
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.4%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 24,599
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.6%
> Population: 1,266,389
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
45. Jacksonville, FL
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 38,193
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 4.9%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 22,404
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.8%
> Population: 1,559,514
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
44. Raleigh, NC
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 38,524
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.4%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 22,946
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.1%
> Population: 1,390,785
Source: Jacek_Sopotnicki / Getty Images
43. Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 40,105
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.5%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 25,312
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 4.7%
> Population: 1,127,983
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
42. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 44,848
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.4%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 25,252
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.9%
> Population: 1,765,031
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
41. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 47,134
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 4.3%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 30,302
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.8%
> Population: 2,076,531
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
40. Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 50,403
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 30,273
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.7%
> Population: 1,575,179
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
39. Memphis, TN-MS-AR
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 50,567
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.5%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 26,146
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 4.0%
> Population: 1,344,910
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
38. New Orleans-Metairie, LA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 51,108
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 8.6%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 29,590
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 4.9%
> Population: 1,270,530
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
37. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 52,017
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 8.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 24,036
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.8%
> Population: 1,204,877
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
36. Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 53,320
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.9%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 23,973
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.4%
> Population: 1,624,578
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Source: TriggerPhoto / Getty Images
35. Kansas City, MO-KS
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 55,213
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 4.8%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 38,498
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.3%
> Population: 2,155,068
Source: traveler1116 / Getty Images
34. Columbus, OH
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 55,564
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.1%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 38,792
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.5%
> Population: 2,122,271
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
33. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 57,610
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.1%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 40,810
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.6%
> Population: 2,219,750
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Source: benedek / Getty Images
32. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 60,813
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.5%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 28,506
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.6%
> Population: 1,933,860
Source: SpVVK / Getty Images
31. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 66,955
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 26,703
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.4%
> Population: 1,990,660
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Source: dszc / Getty Images
30. Austin-Round Rock, TX
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 67,615
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.4%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 32,824
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.6%
> Population: 2,227,083
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
29. Cleveland-Elyria, OH
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 67,839
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.9%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 41,165
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.9%
> Population: 2,048,449
Source: HaizhanZheng / Getty Images
28. Pittsburgh, PA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 78,838
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.8%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 58,870
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 4.8%
> Population: 2,317,600
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Source: jose1983 / Getty Images
27. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 79,114
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.1%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 41,846
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.1%
> Population: 2,493,221
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
26. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 80,983
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.7%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 37,304
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.1%
> Population: 2,550,960
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
25. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 81,178
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.1%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 44,898
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.3%
> Population: 2,636,883
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
24. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 83,808
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.8%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 51,291
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.4%
> Population: 2,800,053
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
23. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 85,946
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.6%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 44,736
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.8%
> Population: 3,194,831
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Source: JPosvancz / Getty Images
22. Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 87,552
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 8.0%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 36,887
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.3%
> Population: 2,363,730
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
21. St. Louis, MO-IL
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 89,655
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 51,304
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.4%
> Population: 2,801,423
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Source: StevenGaertner / Getty Images
20. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 91,619
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 4.7%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 62,898
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.1%
> Population: 3,640,043
24/7 Wall St.
Source: LUNAMARINA / Getty Images
19. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 92,057
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.1%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 37,192
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.7%
> Population: 2,608,147
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
18. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 113,461
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 10.5%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 41,851
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.7%
> Population: 2,266,715
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Source: dancestrokes / Getty Images
17. San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 131,396
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 8.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 47,361
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.0%
> Population: 3,338,330
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
16. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 147,691
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 8.5%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 40,378
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.4%
> Population: 2,967,239
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Source: aiisha5 / Getty Images
15. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 167,944
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.8%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 67,190
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.1%
> Population: 3,979,845
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Dreamframer / Getty Images
14. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 179,736
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 97,168
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.8%
> Population: 4,948,203
Source: graphiknation / iStock via Getty Images
13. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 180,028
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 5.8%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 86,658
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.8%
> Population: 6,018,744
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Source: stellalevi / Getty Images
12. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 183,320
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.3%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 63,403
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.4%
> Population: 4,731,803
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
11. Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 187,795
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.9%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 70,021
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.5%
> Population: 4,873,019
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Source: MattGush / Getty Images
10. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 192,149
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 9.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 78,881
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.8%
> Population: 4,650,631
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
9. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 201,777
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.0%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 101,372
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.9%
> Population: 6,280,697
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
8. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 213,840
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.0%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 142,051
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 4.5%
> Population: 6,102,434
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Source: ULora / Getty Images
7. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 217,457
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 7.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 76,478
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 2.4%
> Population: 6,166,488
Source: Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images
6. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 219,920
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 10.2%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 87,389
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 4.0%
> Population: 4,319,629
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Source: f11photo / Getty Images
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 268,752
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 6.7%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 129,028
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.2%
> Population: 7,573,136
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
4. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 284,211
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 8.3%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 131,756
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.8%
> Population: 7,066,140
Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images
3. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 403,335
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 8.6%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 168,394
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.5%
> Population: 9,457,867
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Source: Melpomenem / Getty Images
2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 637,544
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 9.9%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 263,681
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.9%
> Population: 13,214,799
Source: GCShutter / Getty Images
1. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
> Unemployed population, Dec 2020: 800,642
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2020: 8.4%
> Unemployed population, Dec 2019: 367,719
> Unemployment rate, Dec 2019: 3.7%
> Population: 19,216,182
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