The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program produces monthly and annual employment, unemployment, and labor force data for Census regions and divisions, States, counties, metropolitan areas, and many cities, by place of residence. More »
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not administer or oversee unemployment insurance (UI) programs. You should contact your State workforce agency for information, using the Department of Labor's Career Onestop Service Locator.
Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment: August 2010 is scheduled to be issued on Wednesday, September 29, at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time.
September 21, 2010
In August, 27 states registered over-the-month unemployment rate increases, 13 states recorded decreases, and 10 states and the District of Columbia had no change. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 14 states, and decreased in 36 states and the District of Columbia. More »
September 01, 2010
Unemployment rates were higher in July than a year earlier in 192 of the 372 metropolitan areas, lower in 170 areas, and unchanged in 10 areas. Among those areas, 204 reported over-the-year decreases in nonfarm payroll employment, 158 reported increases, and 10 had no change. More »
March 03, 2010
Annual average unemployment rates rose in 2009 in all regions, divisions, and states. Employment-population ratios decreased across all of these geographic areas as well. The U.S. jobless rate rose 3.5 percentage points from the prior year to 9.3 percent, and the national employment-population ratio fell 2.9 points to 59.3 percent. More...
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Caution: data in many archived news releases have been revised in subsequent releases.
Please note that the "Get Detailed LAUS Statistics" tools for data retrieval will be unavailable from 10:00 AM to approximately 10:30 AM on the day of a Local Area Unemployment Statistics release because the LAUS database is updated during that time. A schedule of upcoming release dates is available at www.bls.gov/lau/lausched.htm.
Instructions for Extracting Data--Quick, easy instructions on how to extract Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data.
Series Report —Already know the series identifier for the statistic you want? Use this shortcut to retrieve your data.Labor force data by county, not seasonally adjusted, latest 14 months (TXT) (ZIP 1,847KB)Unemployment rates by county, latest 12-month averages (GIF) (PDF)
Unemployment rates in New England by Minor Civil Division, latest 12-month averages (GIF) (PDF)
Unemployment rates for States: Over-the-year change in unemployment rates for States:Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by stateGeographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment, Section II: Estimates for States, 2009Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population in states by sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, marital status, and detailed age:2009 Annual Averages (PDF)NEW 2008 Annual Averages (PDF)Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population in states by sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and detailed age (preliminary):2007 Annual Averages (PDF)2006 Annual Averages (PDF)Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population in states by sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, marital status, and detailed age:2005 Annual Averages (PDF)2004 Annual Averages (PDF)2003 Annual Averages (PDF)Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population in states by sex, detailed age, race, and Hispanic origin:2002 Annual Averages (PDF)2001 Annual Averages (PDF)2000 Annual Averages (PDF)1999 Annual Averages (PDF)Notes on using dataLatest annual average State unemployment rates (GIF) (PDF)Latest over-the-year change in unemployment rates by State (GIF) (PDF)Latest employment-population ratios by State (GIF) (PDF)Historical State unemployment rate maps (ZIP 732K) (PDF 3,292K)
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Latest annual average metropolitan area unemployment rates (GIF) (PDF) Historical metropolitan area unemployment rates (ZIP 1,303KB)(PDF 1,661KB)
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Labor force data by county, 2009 annual averages (TXT, ZIP)Labor force data by county, 2008 annual averages (TXT, ZIP)Labor force data by county, 2007 annual averages (TXT, ZIP)Labor force data by county, 2006 annual averages (TXT, ZIP)Labor force data by county, 2005 annual averages (TXT, ZIP)Labor force data by county, 2004 annual averages (TXT, ZIP)Labor force data by county, 2003 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 2002 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 2001 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 2000 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1999 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1998 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1997 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1996 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1995 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1994 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1993 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1992 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1991 annual averages (TXT, ZIP) Labor force data by county, 1990 annual averages (TXT, ZIP)
Latest annual average Minor Civil Division unemployment rates (GIF) (PDF) Historical Minor Civil Division unemployment rates (ZIP 2,644KB) (PDF 2,744KB)
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Does LAUS have information on labor force participation rates and employment-population ratios?What is the relationship between the LAUS and American Community Survey labor force estimates?Where can I get more information on the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Local Area Unemployment Statistics?What changes were made to State and local area labor force estimates?Where can I find information on metropolitan areas, including recent changes?What areas have the highest or lowest unemployment rates?How can I apply for unemployment insurance?Where can I find out if my unemployment insurance benefits will be extended?Since you do not have the data I need, where can I get them?What kind of information does the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program provide?For what time periods are data available?How are the labor force components (i.e., civilian noninstitutional population, civilian labor force, employed, unemployed, and unemployment rate) defined? What are metropolitan areas?What are labor market areas?What is the publication schedule for LAUS program news releases?Why aren't data for all areas (the Nation, states, and substate areas) available at the same time?Why are the labor force estimates for areas and cities different between the LA (Local Area) and GP (Geographic Profile) series?What is the difference between job losers and the unemployed?
All LAU FAQs »
Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment—subnational demographic labor force data from the Current Population Survey. This includes data for Census Regions and Divisions, States including the District of Columbia, 50 large Metropolitan Areas, and 17 large Cities.Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey—national data on employment, unemployment, earnings, and other labor market topics by demographic characteristics.Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (National)—monthly national data by detailed industry on employment, hours, and earnings of workers on the payrolls of nonfarm establishments.Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (State and Metro Area)—monthly data on employment, hours, and earnings by industry and geographic area.Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages—comprehensive employment and wage data by industry and geographic area for workers covered by State Unemployment Insurance laws.Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)—monthly data on job openings, hires, and separations that serve as demand-side indicators of labor shortages at the national level.Occupational Employment Statistics—data on employment and wages for over 800 occupations and for about 400 nonfarm industries for the nation, plus occupational data for States and metropolitan areas.National Longitudinal Surveys—several surveys gathering information at multiple points in time about the labor market and life experiences of six groups of American men, women, and youth.Mass Layoff Statistics—reports on mass layoff actions that result in workers being separated from their jobs.Survey of Employer-Provided Training—provides detailed information on training by major industry division and by size of establishment from surveys conducted in 1993 and 1995.Internet address: lausinfo@bls.govTelephone number: (202) 691-6392
Cooperating State Agencies Contact List
