States Where the Unemployment Rate Is at an All-Time Low

As of November 2019, the U.S. unemployment rate was at 3.5%, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The last time it was this low was almost half a century ago in December 1969. Goldman Sachs predicts the unemployment rate will drop even lower to 3.25% nationwide by the end of 2020. The U.S. unemployment rate can serve as a convenient barometer for the current strength of the economy. But what does this mean for potential job opportunities?

This is a good time to be on the job hunt, as a healthy unemployment rate generally indicates employers will raise wages and compete to hire new workers. According to The New York Times, employers added 266,000 jobs in November. The BLS reports unemployment data every month, which has shown a steady decrease within the past decade. Nine states are currently sitting at record-low unemployment rates.

To find out which states had the lowest unemployment rates across the country, GOBankingRates analyzed October 2019 seasonally-adjusted unemployment rates sourced from the BLS and compiled each state’s October 2009 unemployment rate. GOBankingRates also provided the historic low unemployment rate and current median household income in each state. With unemployment rates at an all-time low, these are the states where job seekers should consider relocating.

Last updated: Dec. 17, 2019 

1. Vermont

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.2%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 6.4%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.2 percentage points
• Historical low date: August 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 2.1%
• Median household income in 2018: $60,782

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2. North Dakota

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.5%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 4%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 1.5 percentage points
• Historical low date: June 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 2.3%
• Median household income in 2018: $63,837

3. Utah

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.5%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.7%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 5.2 percentage points
• Historical low date: April 2007
  
• Historical low rate: 2.4%
• Median household income in 2018: $71,414

4. Colorado

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 5.2 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 2.6%
• Median household income in 2018: $71,953

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

5. Iowa

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 6.5%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 3.9 percentage points
• Historical low date: June 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 2.4%
• Median household income in 2018: $59,955

6. New Hampshire

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 6.4%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 3.8 percentage points
• Historical low date: March 1988
  
• Historical low rate: 2.2%
• Median household income in 2018: $74,991

7. South Carolina

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 11.6%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 9 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 2.6%
• Median household income in 2018: $52,306

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

8. Virginia

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.1%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.5 percentage points
• Historical low date: November 2000
  
• Historical low rate: 2.1%
• Median household income in 2018: $72,577

9. Hawaii

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.7%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.3%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.6 percentage points
• Historical low date: November 2017
  
• Historical low rate: 2.2%
• Median household income in 2018: $80,212

10. Alabama

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 11.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 9 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 2.8%
• Median household income in 2018: $49,861

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

11. Maine

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8.2%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 5.4 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 2.8%
• Median household income in 2018: $55,602

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

12. Idaho

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.9%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 9.3%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 6.4 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2018
  
• Historical low rate: 2.7%
• Median household income in 2018: $55,583

13. Massachusetts

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 2.9%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8.7%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 5.8 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2000
  
• Historical low rate: 2.6%
• Median household income in 2018: $79,835

14. South Dakota

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 5%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 2 percentage points
• Historical low date: July 2000
  
• Historical low rate: 2.4%
• Median household income in 2018: $56,274

15. Kansas

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.2%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.1 percentage points
• Historical low date: August 1978
  
• Historical low rate: 2.9%
• Median household income in 2018: $58,218

16. Missouri

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 9.7%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 6.6 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2018
  
• Historical low rate: 3%
• Median household income in 2018: $54,478

17. Nebraska

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 4.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 1.7 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 1990
  
• Historical low rate: 2.3%
• Median household income in 2018: $59,566

18. Florida

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 11%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 7.8 percentage points
• Historical low date: March 2006
  
• Historical low rate: 3.1%
• Median household income in 2018: $55,462

19. Indiana

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.6%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 7.4 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2000
  
• Historical low rate: 2.9%
• Median household income in 2018: $55,746

20. Minnesota

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.6 percentage points
• Historical low date: February 1999
  
• Historical low rate: 2.5%
• Median household income in 2018: $70,315

21. New Jersey

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 9.7%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 6.5 percentage points
• Historical low date: September 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 3.1%
• Median household income in 2018: $81,740

22. Oklahoma

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 6.9%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 3.6 percentage points
• Historical low date: December 2000
  
• Historical low rate: 2.9%
• Median household income in 2018: $51,924

23. Wisconsin

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 9.1%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 5.8 percentage points
• Historical low date: May 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 2.8%
• Median household income in 2018: $60,773

24. Georgia

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.4%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 7 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 3.4%
• Median household income in 2018: $58,756

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

25. Montana

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 6.9%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 3.5 percentage points
• Historical low date: February 2007
  
• Historical low rate: 2.9%
• Median household income in 2018: $55,328

26. Tennessee

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.6%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 7.2 percentage points
• Historical low date: April 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 3.2%
• Median household income in 2018: $52,375

27. Texas

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8.3%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.9 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 3.4%
• Median household income in 2018: $60,629

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

28. Arkansas

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.5 percentage points
• Historical low date: August 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 3.4%
• Median household income in 2018: $47,062

29. Connecticut

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8.5%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.9 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2000
  
• Historical low rate: 2.2%
• Median household income in 2018: $76,348

30. Maryland

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.4%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 3.8 percentage points
• Historical low date: January 2008
  
• Historical low rate: 3.3%
• Median household income in 2018: $83,242

31. Rhode Island

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 11.1%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 7.5 percentage points
• Historical low date: July 1988
  
• Historical low rate: 3%
• Median household income in 2018: $64,340

32. Delaware

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.7%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8.6%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.9 percentage points
• Historical low date: June 1988
  
• Historical low rate: 3%
• Median household income in 2018: $64,805

33. Wyoming

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.8%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 3.2 percentage points
• Historical low date: May 1979
  
• Historical low rate: 2.5%
• Median household income in 2018: $61,584

34. California

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 11.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 7.9 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 3.9%
• Median household income in 2018: $75,277

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

35. Illinois

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 11%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 7.1 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 3.9%
• Median household income in 2018: $65,030

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

36. New York

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.8 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2018
  
• Historical low rate: 3.8%
• Median household income in 2018: $67,844

37. North Carolina

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.9%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 6.9 percentage points
• Historical low date: April 1999
  
• Historical low rate: 3%
• Median household income in 2018: $53,855

38. Michigan

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.1%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 14.1%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 10 percentage points
• Historical low date: March 2000
  
• Historical low rate: 3.2%
• Median household income in 2018: $56,697

39. Nevada

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.1%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 12.2%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 8.1 percentage points
• Historical low date: February 1999
  
• Historical low rate: 3.8%
• Median household income in 2018: $58,646

40. Oregon

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.1%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 11%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 6.9 percentage points
• Historical low date: August 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 4%
• Median household income in 2018: $63,426

41. Ohio

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.2%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 6.6 percentage points
• Historical low date: February 2001
  
• Historical low rate: 3.7%
• Median household income in 2018: $56,111

42. Pennsylvania

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.2%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8.4%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.2 percentage points
• Historical low date: June 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 3.8%
• Median household income in 2018: $60,905

43. Kentucky

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.3%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.6%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 6.3 percentage points
• Historical low date: May 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 4%
• Median household income in 2018: $50,247

44. Louisiana

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.2%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 2.7 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2007
  
• Historical low rate: 4.1%
• Median household income in 2018: $47,905

45. Washington

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.3%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 5.8 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2018
  
• Historical low rate: 4.4%
• Median household income in 2018: $74,073

46. Arizona

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.8%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 6 percentage points
• Historical low date: July 2007
  
• Historical low rate: 3.6%
• Median household income in 2018: $59,246

47. New Mexico

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.8%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 7.8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 3 percentage points
• Historical low date: September 2007
  
• Historical low rate: 3.7%
• Median household income in 2018: $47,169

48. West Virginia

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 4.8%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8.3%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 3.5 percentage points
• Historical low date: July 2008
• Historical low rate: 4%
• Median household income in 2018: $44,097

49. Mississippi

• Unemployment rate in October 2019: 5.5%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 10.2%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 4.7 percentage points
• Historical low date: January 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 4.7%
• Median household income in 2018: $44,717

50. Alaska

• Unmployment rate in October 2019: 6.2%
• Unemployment rate in October 2009: 8%
• Decrease in unemployment rate: 1.8 percentage points
• Historical low date: October 2019
  
• Historical low rate: 6.2%
• Median household income in 2018: $74,346

Editor’s note: This unemployment rate is an all-time low for the state.

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Methodology: GOBankingRates looked at all 50 states and ranked them according to (1) their current (October 2019) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rates, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data on the employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population from January 1979 to date. GOBankingRates then compiled (2) each state’s unemployment rate in October 2009 (sourced from the BLS’s local area unemployment statistics) to calculate (3) the percentage point decrease in each state’s unemployment rate over the last decade. For each state, GOBankingRates provided supplemental data, including (4) the historical low unemployment rate between January 1979 and October 2019 and (5) when the historical low occurred (both sourced from the BLS’s local area unemployment statistics), as well as (6) the current (2018) median household income according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. All data was compiled on and is up to date as of Dec. 2, 2019.