Top 10 Worst, Best States for Unemployment

Nov. 20, 2009 — -- Every state in the country has seen an increase in unemployment when compared with the same period last year, according to a new report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., now have unemployment rates higher than the national rate of 10.2 percent.

Michigan continues to lead the nation in unemployment, with a jobless rate of 15.1 percent, up 6 percent from October 2008. It wasn't all bad news for state, however: Michigan was one of six states, according to the government, to see significant job gains between September and October. With 38,600 new jobs, Michigan came second only to Texas in payroll increases. (The Lone Star state saw 41,700 new jobs.) Washington, D.C., also had a high unemployment rate, 11.9 percent.

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The 10 states with the highest unemployment rates, by percentage, are:

1. Michigan 15.1

2. Nevada 13.0

3. Rhode Island 12.9

4. California 12.5

5. South Carolina 12.1

6. Oregon 11.3

7. Florida 11.2

8. Kentucky 11.2

9. Illinois 11.0

10. North Carolina 11.0

The unemployment rate in Washington, D.C., also ranks among the highest at 11.9 percent.

For the list of the 10 states with the lowest unemployment rates, see the next page.