The COVID-19 Unemployment Story in Your State
The virus' impact on the job market depends on where you live.
As it became clear in early 2020 that the virus wasn’t going away, the indications kept piling up that things were bad and getting worse. The point of no return, however, came in April, when the national unemployment rate more than tripled from 4.4% to 14.8%. That incredible evaporation of millions of jobs in a single month was unprecedented and could have been an economic extinction-level event. In some places, the numbers were even worse — but in other places, they were much better. Just as the virus affected every state differently and at different times, the unemployment situation varied dramatically from state to state as well.
Read: Americans’ Savings Drop to Lowest Point in Years
To find out exactly how each state’s labor market fared during the year of the virus, GOBankingRates used the Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find several key pieces of information for each state, the District of Columbia and the United States as a whole. Those data points included each state’s unemployment rate for every month of the year, how it changed year over year, the month when unemployment peaked and how that peak compared to the jobless rate at the end of the year in December.

Alabama
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 44.44%
- Peak unemployment: 12.9%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -69.77%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.7%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.7%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 12.9%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.9%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 7.5%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.9%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.6%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.8%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 3.9%
See: Biden Wants to Shut Down Credit Bureaus – What Would That Mean for You?

Alaska
- YoY percent change in unemployment: -3.33%
- Peak unemployment: 12.9%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -55.04%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 5.8%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 12.9%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.6%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 12.4%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 11.6%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.2%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.9%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 5.8%

Arizona
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 66.67%
- Peak unemployment: 12.6%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -40.48%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 4.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 4.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.5%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 12.6%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.9%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 10.0%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 10.6%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 5.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 7.8%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.5%
Read: Economy Explained: Understanding US Productivity and All the Ways It Affects You

Arkansas
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 20.00%
- Peak unemployment: 10.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -58.82%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 10.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.5%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.1%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.3%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2%
Economy Explained: National Debt and Deficit — What Is It and How Does It Affect Me?

California
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 130.77%
- Peak unemployment: 16.3%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -44.79%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.9%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.9%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.5%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 16.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 14.9%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 13.3%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 11.4%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 11.0%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 9.3%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 9.0%
See: Fortune 500 Companies That Added the Most New Jobs in 2020

Colorado
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 236.00%
- Peak unemployment: 11.3%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -25.66%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.5%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.2%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 10.5%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4%

Connecticut
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 116.22%
- Peak unemployment: 10.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -21.57%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.7%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.7%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 7.9%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.4%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 9.8%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 10.2%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.8%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%

Delaware
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 32.50%
- Peak unemployment: 15.8%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -66.46%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 4.0%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.9%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.1%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 14.3%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.8%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 12.5%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 10.4%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.1%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
Check Out: What It’s Like To Job Hunt During a Pandemic

District of Columbia
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 51.92%
- Peak unemployment: 11.1%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -28.83%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 5.2%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 5.2%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 11.1%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.9%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.7%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 7.5%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.9%

Florida
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 117.86%
- Peak unemployment: 14.5%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -57.93%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.8%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.8%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.3%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 12.9%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.5%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 10.4%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.5%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%

Georgia
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 80.65%
- Peak unemployment: 11.9%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -52.94%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 11.9%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.7%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 4.5%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.7%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
Helpful: How To Protect Yourself When You Return to Your Office

Hawaii
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 244.44%
- Peak unemployment: 22.6%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -58.85%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.7%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.7%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 2.6%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 22.3%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 22.6%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 13.9%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 13.1%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 12.5%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 15.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 14.3%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 10.1%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 9.3%

Idaho
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 57.14%
- Peak unemployment: 11.5%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -61.74%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.8%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.7%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 2.6%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 11.5%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.9%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 5.0%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.5%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%
Find Out: How To Interview for a Job Over Zoom

Illinois
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 117.14%
- Peak unemployment: 16.4%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -53.66%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.4%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.6%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 16.4%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.2%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 14.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 11.0%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 10.2%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.8%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
Read: 6 Career Mistakes To Avoid During an Economic Downturn

Indiana
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 38.71%
- Peak unemployment: 16.9%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -74.56%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.2%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 16.9%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 11.2%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.8%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.0%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.0%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.3%

Iowa
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 10.71%
- Peak unemployment: 10.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -69.61%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.8%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.8%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.7%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 10.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.0%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 6.6%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 4.7%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%

Kansas
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 22.58%
- Peak unemployment: 11.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -66.07%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 11.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.0%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 7.5%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.2%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 5.9%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%

Kentucky
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 39.53%
- Peak unemployment: 15.4%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -61.04%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 4.3%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.8%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.4%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.0%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 4.3%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 5.7%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
See: Take Advantage of These 15 Commonly Missed Tax Deductions

Louisiana
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 35.85%
- Peak unemployment: 14.5%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -50.34%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 5.2%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 14.5%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 9.7%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 9.4%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 9.4%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 8.3%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.2%

Maine
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 58.06%
- Peak unemployment: 10.6%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -53.77%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.2%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.2%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 10.6%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 6.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 9.9%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.4%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.0%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.9%
Check Out: Companies That Let You Work From Anywhere

Maryland
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 90.91%
- Peak unemployment: 9.9%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -36.36%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 9.9%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.9%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.2%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 7.8%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.8%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.3%

Massachusetts
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 164.29%
- Peak unemployment (%): 17.4%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -57.47%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.8%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.8%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 2.9%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.1%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 16.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 17.4%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 16.1%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 9.6%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%

Michigan
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 97.37%
- Peak unemployment: 22.7%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -66.96%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.1%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 22.7%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 21.2%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 14.8%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.7%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.7%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.5%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.5%
Find Out: High-Paying Jobs at Apple, Facebook and Google That Don’t Require a Degree

Minnesota
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 37.50%
- Peak unemployment: 9.9%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -55.56%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.2%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.9%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.7%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 4.6%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%

Mississippi
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 12.73%
- Peak unemployment: 15.4%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -59.74%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 5.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 5.4%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.4%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.6%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.7%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 10.8%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
Be Ready: Smart Ways You Can Prepare For Job Loss While You’re Still Employed

Missouri
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 65.71%
- Peak unemployment: 10.1%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -42.57%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.5%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 9.7%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 10.1%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 7.9%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.0%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 4.9%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 4.6%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 5.8%
Read: Coronavirus Has Made These 100+ Brands More Valuable Than Ever

Montana
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 25.71%
- Peak unemployment: 11.3%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -61.06%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.0%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 7.1%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 4.9%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.9%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%

Nebraska
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 3.45%
- Peak unemployment: 8.3%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -63.86%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.9%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.9%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 8.3%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 5.2%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 4.0%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 3.0%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 3.0%
See: How Major Tech Companies Change the Cities They Moved To

Nevada
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 155.56%
- Peak unemployment: 28.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -67.38%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 6.3%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 28.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 25.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 15.0%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 14.0%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 13.2%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 12.6%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 12.0%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 10.1%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 9.2%
Keep Reading: Enron and the 24 Other Most Epic Corporate Downfalls of All Time

New Hampshire
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 53.85%
- Peak unemployment: 16.3%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -75.46%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.6%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.6%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 2.6%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 16.3%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.5%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 11.8%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.5%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.0%

New Jersey
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 100.00%
- Peak unemployment: 16.6%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -54.22%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.3%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.2%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 16.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 13.8%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 10.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 10.2%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%

New Mexico
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 70.83%
- Peak unemployment: 12.7%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -35.43%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.9%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.2%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.3%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 12.7%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 9.4%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 7.5%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
Read More: 8 Successful Companies That Were IPO Flops

New York
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 115.79%
- Peak unemployment: 15.9%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -48.43%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.7%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.5%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 14.5%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.5%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 15.7%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 15.9%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 12.5%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 9.7%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 9.6%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 8.2%
Read: US Adds Jobs in January, But There’s Still Risk of a ‘Double-Dip Recession’

North Carolina
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 72.22%
- Peak unemployment: 12.9%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -51.94%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 12.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.9%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.5%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.3%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.3%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
Check Out: Fox News and 25 More Companies That Faced Public Backlash

North Dakota
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 78.26%
- Peak unemployment: 9.1%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -54.95%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.3%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.2%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 2.2%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.1%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 6.6%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 5.0%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.5%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.1%

Ohio
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 34.15%
- Peak unemployment: 16.8%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -67.26%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 4.1%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 4.1%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.5%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 16.8%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.7%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 10.9%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.9%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.6%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.7%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 5.5%

Oklahoma
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 60.61%
- Peak unemployment: 13.7%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -61.31%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.2%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 13.7%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.6%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 6.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.1%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 5.7%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.9%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%

Oregon
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 93.94%
- Peak unemployment: 14.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -54.93%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 14.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 14.2%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 11.2%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 10.4%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 7.7%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
Read More: Beware These 18 Industries and Companies Selling Your Information

Pennsylvania
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 42.55%
- Peak unemployment: 15.1%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -55.63%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 4.7%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 4.7%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.1%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.1%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 13.0%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 13.7%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 10.3%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 7.3%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.6%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7%

Rhode Island
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 138.24%
- Peak unemployment (%): 17%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -52.35%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.4%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.4%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.6%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 17.0%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 16.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 12.4%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 11.2%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 12.8%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 10.5%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 7.0%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 7.3%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%

South Carolina
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 91.67%
- Peak unemployment: 12.5%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -63.20%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.4%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 2.6%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 12.1%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.5%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.7%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.6%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.3%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 5.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.6%
Find Out: How Far a $100,000 Salary Goes in America’s 50 Largest Cities

South Dakota
- YoY percent change in unemployment: -11.76%
- Peak unemployment: 10.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -70.59%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.4%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 10.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.4%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 7.2%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 6.3%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 4.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 3.0%
Find Out: These Cities Have the Most People Moving In During the Pandemic

Tennessee
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 93.94%
- Peak unemployment: 14.7%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -56.46%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.4%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 14.7%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 11.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 9.7%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 9.5%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.3%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 7.4%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
See: In Less Than a Decade, You Won’t Be Able To Afford a Home in These Cities

Texas
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 105.71%
- Peak unemployment: 13%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -44.62%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.7%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 12.8%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.0%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.8%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.3%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 8.1%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.2%

Utah
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 44.00%
- Peak unemployment: 9.7%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -62.89%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 9.7%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 5.1%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 4.5%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 4.1%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 5.0%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 4.1%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.3%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 3.6%
Read: Why You Should Start on This Year’s Taxes Sooner Than Later

Vermont
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 29.17%
- Peak unemployment: 15.6%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -80.13%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.4%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.4%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.2%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.6%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.7%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 9.4%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.3%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 4.2%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 3.2%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 3.1%
Important: 50 Best Cities for Job Seekers Over 50

Virginia
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 81.48%
- Peak unemployment: 10.6%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -53.77%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 2.7%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 2.6%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.3%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 10.6%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 9.4%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 8.0%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.3%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 4.9%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.9%
Options: The Best and Worst Cities To Own Investment Property

Washington
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 82.05%
- Peak unemployment: 15.4%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -53.90%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.9%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.8%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 5.1%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.4%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 15.1%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 9.8%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 10.3%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.8%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.0%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 7.1%
See: 11 Basic Money Moves Everyone Should Make During Hard Times

West Virginia
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 26.00%
- Peak unemployment: 15.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -58.55%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 5.0%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 4.9%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 15.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.9%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 10.4%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 9.9%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.9%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 8.6%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.4%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.3%

Wisconsin
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 57.14%
- Peak unemployment: 14.1%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -60.99%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.4%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 14.1%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 12.0%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 8.5%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.0%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.2%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 5.4%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.7%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.0%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 5.5%

Wyoming
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 29.73%
- Peak unemployment: 9.2%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -47.83%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.7%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.7%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 3.7%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 9.2%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 8.8%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 7.6%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 7.1%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 6.6%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 6.1%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 5.5%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 5.1%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 4.8%
Discover: 25 Tried-and-True Jobs That Will Last Through Any Recession

United States
- YoY percent change in unemployment: 91.43%
- Peak unemployment: 14.8%
- Percent change from peak to Dec. 2020: -54.73%
- January 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- February 2020 unemployment rate: 3.5%
- March 2020 unemployment rate: 4.4%
- April 2020 unemployment rate: 14.8%
- May 2020 unemployment rate: 13.3%
- June 2020 unemployment rate: 11.1%
- July 2020 unemployment rate: 10.2%
- August 2020 unemployment rate: 8.4%
- September 2020 unemployment rate: 7.8%
- October 2020 unemployment rate: 6.9%
- November 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7%
- December 2020 unemployment rate: 6.7%
More From GOBankingRates
- These Are the Best Banks of 2021 – Did Yours Make the Cut?
- 31 Hidden Ways You’re Bleeding Money Every Month
- Top 100 Banks Leading the U.S. in 2021
- 10 Simple Habits of Money-Smart Individuals
Methodology: GOBankingRates used the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ State Employment and Unemployment Archived News Releases for 2020 to find each state’s (1) unemployment rate for every month in 2020. GOBankingRates then found the (2) year-over-year change in unemployment; (3) year-over-year percent change in unemployment; (4) peak (highest) unemployment rate in 2020; (5) change from peak unemployment to December 2020 unemployment rate; and (6) percent change from peak unemployment to December 2020 for each state. All data were collected on and up to date as of Feb. 1, 2021.