Economic Indicators State unemployment by race and ethnicity
The upcoming election has put a focus on both the state of the economy before the pandemic and the state of the economy in the pandemic. This edition of EPI’s quarter-by-quarter report on unemployment rates in every state by race and ethnicity sheds light on key measures of the country’s economic performance.
Key numbers • 2020 Q1 & Q2
2020 Q1 & Q2 • Updated August 2020
Latest data: Black–white and Hispanic–white gaps persist as states record historic unemployment rates in the second quarter
EPI analyzes state unemployment rates by race and ethnicity, and racial/ethnic unemployment rate gaps, on a quarterly basis to generate a sample size large enough to create reliable estimates of unemployment rates by race and ethnicity at the state level. We report estimates only for states for which the sample size of these subgroups is large enough to create an accurate estimate. For this reason, the number of states included in our maps and data tables varies based on the analysis performed.
Our analysis of first and second quarter 2020 data finds that Black, white, and Hispanic unemployment gaps remained the same in most states in the first quarter, and that unemployment rates reached historic levels in the second quarter.
First quarter state unemployment rates, trends, and ratios
For the first quarter of 2020, we analyze—for every state where data are available—unemployment rates by race and ethnicity, the change in the unemployment rates since the fourth quarter of 2007 (the quarter preceding the onset of the Great Recession), and ratios of African American and Hispanic unemployment rates to white unemployment rates.
Highlights
- In the first quarter of 2020, African American workers had the highest unemployment rate nationally, at 6.3%, followed by Hispanic workers (at 4.8%), white workers (at 3.1%), and Asian workers (at 2.9%).1
- The African American unemployment rate was at or below its pre-recession level in 17 states (these data are available for 21 states and for the District of Columbia). However, in 15 states and in the District of Columbia, African American unemployment rates exceed white unemployment rates by a ratio of 2.0-to-1 or higher.
- The District of Columbia had a Black–white unemployment rate ratio of 5.6-to-1, while Tennessee had the highest ratio among states (3.0-to-1) and Alabama had the lowest ratio (1.2-to-1).
- The highest African American unemployment rate was in the District of Columbia (11.3%), followed by Pennsylvania (10.2%), Louisiana (10.0%), and Mississippi (9.1%). The highest Hispanic state unemployment rate was in Pennsylvania (8.3%), followed by Washington (6.8%), and North Carolina (6.6%). Meanwhile, the highest white state unemployment rate was 5.0%, in West Virginia.
- The Hispanic unemployment rate was at or below its pre–Great Recession level in 12 states (of the 16 states for which these data are available). The Hispanic unemployment rate was lower than the white rate in Arkansas (0.7-to-1) and Oregon (0.8-to-1).
- The largest gaps between Hispanic and white unemployment rates were in North Carolina (2.3-to-1) and Pennsylvania and Washington (both 2.0-to-1 each).
A snapshot of national and state unemployment in March and April
In March 2020, the national unemployment rate was 3.8%, up slightly from the 3.5% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019.2 State unemployment rates in March ranged from 2.2% in North Dakota to 5.8% in Louisiana.3 According to a previous EPI analysis of unemployment by state that analyzes the economic effect of the coronavirus pandemic, in April 2020, 43 states and the District of Columbia saw their unemployment rates increase to record high levels.4
State-by-state data
Following are EPI’s detailed state-by-state breakdown of estimated unemployment rates by race and ethnicity (see interactive map below), changes in the rates since the fourth quarter of 2007 (Table 1), and racial/ethnic unemployment rate gaps for the first quarter of 2020 (three-month averages) (Table 2).
State unemployment rates, by race/ethnicity and overall, 2020Q1
| State | All | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3.0% | 2.9% | 3.6% | NA | NA |
| Alaska | 5.8% | 3.8% | NA | NA | NA |
| Arizona | 4.8% | 3.9% | NA | 4.6% | NA |
| Arkansas | 3.9% | 3.7% | 5.1% | 2.6% | NA |
| California | 4.4% | 3.4% | 6.0% | 5.4% | 3.0% |
| Colorado | 3.2% | 2.8% | NA | 4.2% | NA |
| Connecticut | 3.7% | 3.4% | NA | 4.1% | NA |
| Delaware | 4.3% | 3.3% | 8.0% | NA | NA |
| Washington D.C. | 5.4% | 2.0% | 11.3% | NA | NA |
| Florida | 3.3% | 2.7% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 1.4% |
| Georgia | 3.5% | 2.2% | 5.3% | 3.3% | NA |
| Hawaii | 2.7% | 3.2% | NA | NA | 2.4% |
| Idaho | 2.7% | 2.5% | NA | 3.5% | NA |
| Illinois | 3.8% | 3.1% | 6.7% | 5.2% | 1.5% |
| Indiana | 3.1% | 2.8% | NA | NA | NA |
| Iowa | 3.1% | 2.4% | NA | NA | NA |
| Kansas | 3.1% | 2.9% | NA | 3.7% | NA |
| Kentucky | 4.8% | 4.7% | NA | NA | NA |
| Louisiana | 5.8% | 3.6% | 10.0% | NA | NA |
| Maine | 3.2% | 2.8% | NA | NA | NA |
| Maryland | 3.3% | 2.3% | 6.1% | NA | NA |
| Massachusetts | 2.8% | 2.7% | 3.4% | 3.9% | 1.5% |
| Michigan | 3.8% | 3.2% | 7.0% | NA | NA |
| Minnesota | 3.1% | 2.9% | NA | NA | NA |
| Mississippi | 5.4% | 3.4% | 9.1% | NA | NA |
| Missouri | 3.8% | 3.5% | 6.2% | NA | NA |
| Montana | 3.5% | 3.3% | NA | NA | NA |
| Nebraska | 3.3% | 2.6% | NA | NA | NA |
| Nevada | 4.5% | 4.1% | NA | 4.6% | 3.2% |
| New Hampshire | 2.6% | 2.4% | NA | NA | NA |
| New Jersey | 3.8% | 2.6% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 4.5% |
| New Mexico | 5.2% | 3.8% | NA | 5.4% | NA |
| New York | 4.0% | 3.4% | 5.5% | 5.6% | 2.2% |
| North Carolina | 3.9% | 2.9% | 5.6% | 6.6% | NA |
| North Dakota | 2.2% | 1.9% | NA | NA | NA |
| Ohio | 4.6% | 3.3% | 9.0% | NA | NA |
| Oklahoma | 3.2% | 2.6% | NA | 3.4% | NA |
| Oregon | 3.3% | 3.6% | NA | 3.0% | NA |
| Pennsylvania | 5.1% | 4.0% | 10.2% | 8.3% | NA |
| Rhode Island | 3.8% | 3.1% | NA | NA | NA |
| South Carolina | 2.5% | 1.9% | 3.8% | NA | NA |
| South Dakota | 3.3% | 1.7% | NA | NA | NA |
| Tennessee | 3.4% | 2.4% | 7.3% | NA | NA |
| Texas | 3.9% | 2.8% | 5.7% | 4.8% | 2.6% |
| Utah | 2.9% | 2.7% | NA | 2.7% | NA |
| Vermont | 2.7% | 2.7% | NA | NA | NA |
| Virginia | 2.9% | 2.3% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 2.4% |
| Washington | 4.3% | 3.5% | NA | 6.8% | 3.4% |
| West Virginia | 5.3% | 5.0% | NA | NA | NA |
| Wisconsin | 3.5% | 2.5% | NA | NA | NA |
| Wyoming | 3.7% | 2.9% | NA | NA | NA |
Note: The map reports unemployment rates only for state subgroups with sample sizes large enough to create accurate estimates.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data and Current Population Survey (CPS) data
Trends among white workers
In the first quarter of 2020, the white unemployment rate was lowest in South Dakota (1.7%) and highest in West Virginia (5.0%), as shown in the interactive map and underlying data table, which present state unemployment rates by race and ethnicity.
Table 1 displays changes in state unemployment rates by race and ethnicity from the fourth quarter of 2007—the last quarter before the Great Recession—to the first quarter of 2020. The white unemployment rate remained most elevated above its pre–Great Recession level in Louisiana, at 1.2 percentage point higher than in the fourth quarter of 2007. The white unemployment rate was at or below its pre–Great Recession level in 43 states. The largest declines in white unemployment since the end of 2007 occurred in Michigan (down 2.9 percentage points), Rhode Island (down 2.2 percentage points), Tennessee (down 2.1 percentage points), and Maine and Massachusetts (down 2.0 percentage points). The white unemployment rate was above but within 0.5 percentage points of its pre–Great Recession level in Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, New Mexico, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Change in state unemployment rates by race and ethnicity from 2007Q4 to 2020Q1 (percentage points)
| White | Black | Hispanic | Asian | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | -0.9 | -2.3 | -1.1 | -0.6 |
| Alabama | -0.7 | -2.7 | NA | NA |
| Alaska | -0.8 | NA | NA | NA |
| Arizona | 0.5 | NA | -1.3 | NA |
| Arkansas | -1.0 | -3.8 | NA | NA |
| California | -1.4 | -4.1 | -1.7 | -1.9 |
| Colorado | -0.7 | NA | -1.0 | NA |
| Connecticut | -0.1 | NA | -4.1 | NA |
| Delaware | 0.4 | 3.0 | NA | NA |
| District of Columbia | 0.3 | 1.4 | NA | NA |
| Florida | -1.3 | 0.0 | -2.9 | NA |
| Georgia | -1.1 | -2.9 | -3.8 | NA |
| Hawaii | -0.9 | NA | NA | -0.1 |
| Idaho | -0.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Illinois | -1.3 | -5.6 | -0.5 | -1.9 |
| Indiana | -1.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Iowa | -1.0 | NA | NA | NA |
| Kansas | -0.8 | NA | NA | NA |
| Kentucky | -0.4 | NA | NA | NA |
| Louisiana | 1.2 | 1.3 | NA | NA |
| Maine | -2.0 | NA | NA | NA |
| Maryland | -0.5 | 0.4 | NA | NA |
| Massachusetts | -2.0 | NA | NA | NA |
| Michigan | -2.9 | -8.5 | NA | NA |
| Minnesota | -1.2 | NA | NA | NA |
| Mississippi | -0.3 | -1.2 | NA | NA |
| Missouri | -1.0 | -5.6 | NA | NA |
| Montana | -0.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Nebraska | 0.0 | NA | NA | NA |
| Nevada | -0.1 | NA | -1.9 | 0.3 |
| New Hampshire | -1.1 | NA | NA | NA |
| New Jersey | -1.3 | -1.5 | -0.6 | 2.2 |
| New Mexico | 0.5 | NA | 0.8 | NA |
| New York | -0.3 | -2.5 | -1.4 | -1.1 |
| North Carolina | -1.2 | -2.7 | 0.1 | NA |
| North Dakota | -0.1 | NA | NA | NA |
| Ohio | -1.2 | -4.6 | NA | NA |
| Oklahoma | -0.4 | NA | NA | NA |
| Oregon | -1.8 | NA | NA | NA |
| Pennsylvania | -0.2 | 3.0 | NA | NA |
| Rhode Island | -2.2 | NA | NA | NA |
| South Carolina | -1.8 | -7.3 | NA | NA |
| South Dakota | -0.3 | NA | NA | NA |
| Tennessee | -2.1 | -2.2 | NA | NA |
| Texas | -0.6 | -2.2 | 0.4 | -0.3 |
| Utah | 0.2 | NA | -1.2 | NA |
| Vermont | -1.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Virginia | -0.7 | -0.6 | -0.1 | NA |
| Washington | -1.4 | NA | 1.0 | -0.4 |
| West Virginia | 0.2 | NA | NA | NA |
| Wisconsin | -1.7 | NA | NA | NA |
| Wyoming | 0.4 | NA | NA | NA |
Note: The table reports data only for state subgroups with sample sizes large enough to create accurate estimates.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data and Current Population Survey (CPS) data.
Trends among African American workers
African American unemployment rate estimates are available for 22 states and for the District of Columbia. Among states, the unemployment rate for African Americans was lowest in Massachusetts (3.4%) and Alabama (3.6%), and highest in Pennsylvania (10.2%); in the District of Columbia, it was 11.3%. The District of Columbia also had the highest Black unemployment rate during the previous 14 quarters.
In the first quarter of 2020, of the 22 states with African American unemployment rate estimates (excluding D.C.), all but two (Pennsylvania and Louisiana) had Black unemployment rates below 10%; in 12 of these states, the rate was at or below the first-quarter national average for African Americans (6.3%).
As shown in Table 2, which displays the Black–white and Hispanic–white unemployment rate ratios in the first quarter of 2020, Alabama and Massachusetts had the smallest Black–white rate gaps of the 22 states and the District of Columbia. Black unemployment was 1.2 times the white unemployment rate in Alabama and 1.3 times the white unemployment rate in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, the largest gap was in the District of Columbia, where the Black unemployment rate was 5.6 times the white rate. The next highest unemployment ratios were in Tennessee (3.0-to-1), Louisiana (2.8-to-1), and Ohio and Mississippi (2.7-to-1 each).
The Black unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2020 was at or below its pre-Great Recession level in 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. (Data on the change in Black unemployment over this period are available for 21 states and for the District of Columbia.)
Black–white and Hispanic–white state unemployment rate ratios, 2020Q1
| State | Black–white ratio | Hispanic–white ratio |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Alabama | 1.2 | NA |
| Alaska | NA | NA |
| Arizona | NA | 1.2 |
| Arkansas | 1.4 | 0.7 |
| California | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Colorado | NA | 1.5 |
| Connecticut | NA | 1.2 |
| Delaware | 2.4 | NA |
| District of Columbia | 5.6 | NA |
| Florida | 2.4 | 1.1 |
| Georgia | 2.4 | 1.5 |
| Hawaii | NA | NA |
| Idaho | NA | 1.4 |
| Illinois | 2.2 | 1.7 |
| Indiana | NA | NA |
| Iowa | NA | NA |
| Kansas | NA | 1.3 |
| Kentucky | NA | NA |
| Louisiana | 2.8 | NA |
| Maine | NA | NA |
| Maryland | 2.6 | NA |
| Massachusetts | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| Michigan | 2.2 | NA |
| Minnesota | NA | NA |
| Mississippi | 2.7 | NA |
| Missouri | 1.8 | NA |
| Montana | NA | NA |
| Nebraska | NA | NA |
| Nevada | NA | 1.1 |
| New Hampshire | NA | NA |
| New Jersey | 2.6 | 1.7 |
| New Mexico | NA | 1.4 |
| New York | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| North Carolina | 2.0 | 2.3 |
| North Dakota | NA | NA |
| Ohio | 2.7 | NA |
| Oklahoma | NA | 1.3 |
| Oregon | NA | 0.8 |
| Pennsylvania | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Rhode Island | NA | NA |
| South Carolina | 1.9 | NA |
| South Dakota | NA | NA |
| Tennessee | 3.0 | NA |
| Texas | 2.0 | 1.7 |
| Utah | NA | 1.0 |
| Vermont | NA | NA |
| Virginia | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| Washington | NA | 2.0 |
| West Virginia | NA | NA |
| Wisconsin | NA | NA |
| Wyoming | NA | NA |
Note: The table reports data only for state subgroups with sample sizes large enough to create accurate estimates.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data and Current Population Survey (CPS) data.
Trends among Hispanic workers
Hispanic unemployment rate estimates are available for 23 states and data on the change in Hispanic unemployment rates since the fourth quarter of 2007 are available for 16 states. In the first quarter of 2020, among states, the Hispanic unemployment rate was highest in Pennsylvania (8.3%), Washington (6.8%), North Carolina (6.6%), and New York (5.6%). The rate was lowest in Arkansas (2.6%), Utah (2.7%), and Florida (2.9%)
The Hispanic unemployment rate was below its pre–Great Recession level in 12 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Utah, and Virginia. The Hispanic unemployment rate was most elevated above its pre–Great Recession level in Washington (1.0 percentage points); it declined most in Connecticut (down 4.1 percentage points), Georgia (down 3.8 percentage points), and Florida (down 2.9 percentage points).
The Hispanic unemployment rate was lower than the white unemployment rate in Arkansas (0.7-to-1) and Oregon (0.8-to-1). The ratio of Hispanic unemployment to white unemployment was highest in North Carolina (2.3-to-1) and in Pennsylvania (2.0-to-1).
Trends among Asian workers
Asian unemployment rate estimates are available for 11 states, and data on the change in Asian unemployment rates since the fourth quarter of 2007 are available for eight states. The Asian unemployment rate was lowest in Florida (1.4%) and highest in New Jersey (4.5%). The Asian unemployment rate was at or below its pre–Great Recession level in California, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Washington. The Asian unemployment rate was above its pre–Great Recession level in Nevada (0.3 percentage points higher) and New Jersey (2.2 percentage points higher).
Second quarter state unemployment rates, trends, and ratios
For the second quarter of 2020, we analyze—for every state where data are available—unemployment rates by race and ethnicity (see map below), the change in the unemployment rates since the first quarter of 2020 (the quarter that ended with the initial negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic) (Table 3), and the ratios of African American and Hispanic unemployment rates to white unemployment rates (Table 4).
Unemployment rates hit historic highs
While we continued our economic expansion in the first quarter of 2020, we saw historic levels of unemployment rates in the second quarter.
In the second quarter of 2020, African American workers had the highest unemployment rate nationally, at 17.4%, following by Hispanic workers (at 16.9%), Asian workers (at 13.3%), and white workers (at 10.8%).5
- In the second quarter of 2020, the white unemployment rate among states was highest in Hawaii (19.1%), followed by Nevada (17.8%), Michigan (17.5%), and Massachusetts (14.1%).
- In the second quarter of 2020, the African American unemployment rate was highest in Michigan (35.5%), followed by Ohio (23.4%), Pennsylvania (22.0%), and Illinois (20.7%).
- Hispanic unemployment rates were highest in Nevada (30.1%), Massachusetts (29.9%), and New Jersey (23.3%).
- The Asian unemployment rate was highest in Hawaii (21.9%).
These unemployment rates are shown in the interactive map and underlying data table, which present state unemployment rates by race and ethnicity in the second quarter of 2020.
State unemployment rates, by race/ethnicity and overall, 2020Q2
| State | All | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 10.3% | 8.6% | 14.2% | NA | NA |
| Alaska | 12.9% | 10.2% | NA | NA | NA |
| Arizona | 10.8% | 9.4% | NA | 11.2% | NA |
| Arkansas | 9.5% | 8.7% | 13.2% | NA | NA |
| California | 15.9% | 13.5% | 18.3% | 18.1% | 14.2% |
| Colorado | 11.0% | 8.9% | NA | 16.4% | NA |
| Connecticut | 9.2% | 8.9% | NA | NA | NA |
| Delaware | 14.4% | 12.8% | 17.9% | NA | NA |
| Washington D.C. | 9.7% | 4.0% | 18.2% | NA | NA |
| Florida | 12.6% | 10.4% | 17.5% | 14.5% | NA |
| Georgia | 9.9% | 7.5% | 11.8% | 12.4% | NA |
| Hawaii | 20.4% | 19.1% | NA | NA | 21.9% |
| Idaho | 8.8% | 7.6% | NA | 16.3% | NA |
| Illinois | 15.7% | 13.0% | 20.7% | 23.0% | 9.4% |
| Indiana | 13.7% | 12.2% | NA | NA | NA |
| Iowa | 9.7% | 8.4% | NA | NA | NA |
| Kansas | 9.8% | 9.2% | NA | NA | NA |
| Kentucky | 10.6% | 10.3% | NA | NA | NA |
| Louisiana | 13.0% | 9.7% | 18.2% | NA | NA |
| Maine | 8.8% | 8.5% | NA | NA | NA |
| Maryland | 9.4% | 6.6% | 13.0% | NA | NA |
| Massachusetts | 16.7% | 14.1% | NA | 29.9% | 17.5% |
| Michigan | 20.0% | 17.5% | 35.5% | NA | NA |
| Minnesota | 9.1% | 8.1% | NA | NA | NA |
| Mississippi | 11.8% | 9.7% | 16.0% | NA | NA |
| Missouri | 9.4% | 9.1% | 10.5% | NA | NA |
| Montana | 9.3% | 8.8% | NA | NA | NA |
| Nebraska | 6.9% | 6.0% | NA | NA | NA |
| Nevada | 23.5% | 17.8% | NA | 30.1% | NA |
| New Hampshire | 14.8% | 13.6% | NA | NA | NA |
| New Jersey | 16.1% | 13.0% | 18.3% | 23.3% | 16.2% |
| New Mexico | 9.8% | 8.4% | NA | 10.0% | NA |
| New York | 15.2% | 12.2% | 18.3% | 22.0% | 16.2% |
| North Carolina | 11.1% | 9.8% | 14.2% | 15.2% | NA |
| North Dakota | 8.1% | 7.4% | NA | NA | NA |
| Ohio | 14.1% | 11.5% | 23.4% | NA | NA |
| Oklahoma | 11.3% | 9.3% | NA | 12.9% | NA |
| Oregon | 13.5% | 13.3% | NA | 14.2% | NA |
| Pennsylvania | 14.2% | 12.2% | 22.0% | 19.7% | NA |
| Rhode Island | 15.6% | 13.1% | NA | NA | NA |
| South Carolina | 11.3% | 9.0% | 17.0% | NA | NA |
| South Dakota | 9.2% | 6.4% | NA | NA | NA |
| Tennessee | 12.1% | 10.3% | 16.9% | NA | NA |
| Texas | 11.7% | 7.8% | 18.0% | 14.1% | 12.3% |
| Utah | 8.0% | 7.8% | NA | 8.6% | NA |
| Vermont | 12.9% | 12.1% | NA | NA | NA |
| Virginia | 9.5% | 7.7% | 11.6% | 15.2% | NA |
| Washington | 13.7% | 12.0% | NA | 17.6% | 11.2% |
| West Virginia | 13.1% | 12.4% | NA | NA | NA |
| Wisconsin | 11.4% | 9.9% | NA | NA | NA |
| Wyoming | 8.7% | 7.9% | NA | NA | NA |
Note: The map reports unemployment rates only for state subgroups with sample sizes large enough to create accurate estimates.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data and Current Population Survey (CPS) data.
Unemployment rates increased by more than 10 percentage points in many states
Table 3 displays changes in state unemployment rates by race and ethnicity from the first quarter of 2020—the quarter that ended with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic—to the second quarter of 2020.
- The white unemployment rate increased above its pre-pandemic level by 10 percentage points or more in nine states (these data are available for 50 states and for the District of Columbia): California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
- The largest increases in white unemployment since the first quarter occurred in Hawaii (up 15.9 percentage points), Michigan (up 14.3 percentage points), and Nevada (up 13.8 percentage points).
- African American unemployment rates increased above their pre-pandemic levels by at least 10 percentage points in 11 states (these data are available for 21 states and for the District of Columbia): Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas.
- The largest increases in Black unemployment since the first quarter occurred in Michigan (up 28.5 percentage points), Ohio (up 14.4 percentage points), and Illinois (up 14.0 percentage points).
- The Hispanic unemployment rate increased above its pre-pandemic level by at least 10 percentage points in 13 states (these data are available for 20 states): California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
- The largest increases in Hispanic unemployment since the first quarter occurred in Massachusetts (up 26.0 percentage points), Nevada (up 25.5 percentage points), and New Jersey (up 18.7 percentage points).
- The Asian unemployment rate increased above its pre-pandemic level by 10 percentage points or more in five states (these data are available for eight states): California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
- The largest increases in Asian unemployment occurred in Hawaii (up 19.4 percentage points), Massachusetts (up 16.0 percentage points), and New York (up 13.9 percentage points).
Change in state unemployment rates by race and ethnicity from 2020Q1 to 2020Q2 (percentage points)
| State | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 7.8 | 11.1 | 12.1 | 10.4 |
| Alabama | 5.7 | 10.6 | NA | NA |
| Alaska | 6.4 | NA | NA | NA |
| Arizona | 5.5 | NA | 6.6 | NA |
| Arkansas | 5.1 | 8.0 | NA | NA |
| California | 10.2 | 12.3 | 12.7 | 11.2 |
| Colorado | 6.2 | NA | 12.2 | NA |
| Connecticut | 5.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Delaware | 9.5 | 9.9 | NA | NA |
| District of Columbia | 2.0 | 6.9 | NA | NA |
| Florida | 7.8 | 11.1 | 11.7 | NA |
| Georgia | 5.3 | 6.6 | 9.1 | NA |
| Hawaii | 15.9 | NA | NA | 19.4 |
| Idaho | 5.0 | NA | 12.8 | NA |
| Illinois | 10.0 | 14.0 | 17.8 | 7.9 |
| Indiana | 9.4 | NA | NA | NA |
| Iowa | 6.0 | NA | NA | NA |
| Kansas | 6.3 | NA | NA | NA |
| Kentucky | 5.6 | NA | NA | NA |
| Louisiana | 6.1 | 8.2 | NA | NA |
| Maine | 5.7 | NA | NA | NA |
| Maryland | 4.3 | 6.9 | NA | NA |
| Massachusetts | 11.4 | NA | 26.0 | 16.0 |
| Michigan | 14.3 | 28.5 | NA | NA |
| Minnesota | 5.2 | NA | NA | NA |
| Mississippi | 6.3 | 6.9 | NA | NA |
| Missouri | 5.6 | 4.3 | NA | NA |
| Montana | 5.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Nebraska | 3.4 | NA | NA | NA |
| Nevada | 13.8 | NA | 25.5 | NA |
| New Hampshire | 11.2 | NA | NA | NA |
| New Jersey | 10.4 | 11.4 | 18.7 | 11.8 |
| New Mexico | 4.6 | NA | 4.6 | NA |
| New York | 8.8 | 12.7 | 16.4 | 13.9 |
| North Carolina | 6.9 | 8.6 | 8.6 | NA |
| North Dakota | 5.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Ohio | 8.2 | 14.4 | NA | NA |
| Oklahoma | 6.7 | NA | 9.4 | NA |
| Oregon | 9.7 | NA | 11.2 | NA |
| Pennsylvania | 8.2 | 11.9 | 11.4 | NA |
| Rhode Island | 10.0 | NA | NA | NA |
| South Carolina | 7.1 | 13.2 | NA | NA |
| South Dakota | 4.7 | NA | NA | NA |
| Tennessee | 7.8 | 9.6 | NA | NA |
| Texas | 5.0 | 12.3 | 9.3 | 9.7 |
| Utah | 5.0 | NA | 6.0 | NA |
| Vermont | 9.4 | NA | NA | NA |
| Virginia | 5.4 | 6.9 | 11.6 | NA |
| Washington | 8.5 | NA | 10.7 | 7.8 |
| West Virginia | 7.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Wisconsin | 7.3 | NA | NA | NA |
| Wyoming | 4.9 | NA | NA | NA |
Note: The table reports data only for state subgroups with sample sizes large enough to create accurate estimates.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data and Current Population Survey (CPS) data.
Black and Hispanic unemployment rates in some states are twice as high as white rates
Table 4 displays the Black–white and Hispanic–white unemployment rate ratios in the second quarter of 2020. Missouri, California, Delaware, and New Jersey had the smallest Black–white rate gaps of the 21 states and of the District of Columbia. Black unemployment in Missouri was 1.2 times the white unemployment rate in that state, while in California, Delaware, and New Jersey the Black unemployment rate was 1.4 times the white unemployment rate. Meanwhile, the largest gap was in the District of Columbia, where the Black unemployment rate was 4.6 times the white rate. The next highest unemployment ratios were in Texas (2.3-to-1) and in Maryland, Michigan, and Ohio (all 2.0-to-1).
The Hispanic unemployment rate is above the the white unemployment rate in all 20 states for which data are available. The ratio of Hispanic unemployment to white unemployment was highest in Idaho (2.2-to-1) and in Massachusetts (2.1-to-1).
Black–white and Hispanic–white state unemployment rate ratios, 2020Q2
| Black–white ratio | Hispanic–white ratio | |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Alabama | 1.6 | NA |
| Alaska | NA | NA |
| Arizona | NA | 1.2 |
| Arkansas | 1.5 | NA |
| California | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Colorado | NA | 1.8 |
| Connecticut | NA | NA |
| Delaware | 1.4 | NA |
| District of Columbia | 4.6 | NA |
| Florida | 1.7 | 1.4 |
| Georgia | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| Hawaii | NA | NA |
| Idaho | NA | 2.2 |
| Illinois | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Indiana | NA | NA |
| Iowa | NA | NA |
| Kansas | NA | NA |
| Kentucky | NA | NA |
| Louisiana | 1.9 | NA |
| Maine | NA | NA |
| Maryland | 2.0 | NA |
| Massachusetts | NA | 2.1 |
| Michigan | 2.0 | NA |
| Minnesota | NA | NA |
| Mississippi | 1.7 | NA |
| Missouri | 1.2 | NA |
| Montana | NA | NA |
| Nebraska | NA | NA |
| Nevada | NA | 1.7 |
| New Hampshire | NA | NA |
| New Jersey | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| New Mexico | NA | 1.2 |
| New York | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| North Carolina | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| North Dakota | NA | NA |
| Ohio | 2.0 | NA |
| Oklahoma | NA | 1.4 |
| Oregon | NA | 1.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Rhode Island | NA | NA |
| South Carolina | 1.9 | NA |
| South Dakota | NA | NA |
| Tennessee | 1.6 | NA |
| Texas | 2.3 | 1.8 |
| Utah | NA | 1.1 |
| Vermont | NA | NA |
| Virginia | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| Washington | NA | 1.5 |
| West Virginia | NA | NA |
| Wisconsin | NA | NA |
| Wyoming | NA | NA |
Note: The table reports data only for state subgroups with sample sizes large enough to create accurate estimates.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data and Current Population Survey (CPS) data.
Methodology
The unemployment rate estimates in this report are based on the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) and the Current Population Survey (CPS) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall state unemployment rate is taken directly from the LAUS. CPS six-month ratios are applied to LAUS data to calculate the rates by race and ethnicity. For each state subgroup, we calculate the unemployment rate using the past six months of CPS data. We then find the ratio of this subgroup rate to the state unemployment rate using the same period of CPS data. This gives us an estimate of how the subgroup compares with the state overall.
While this methodology allows us to calculate unemployment-rate estimates at the state level by race and ethnicity by quarter, it is less precise at the national level than simply using the CPS. Thus, the national-level estimates may differ from direct CPS estimates.
In many states, the sample sizes of particular subgroups are not large enough to create accurate estimates of their unemployment rates. We report data only for groups that had, on average, a sample size of at least 700 in the labor force for each six-month period.
Endnotes
1. EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data and Current Population Survey (CPS) data. Figures are three-month averages. All other data points in the bullets in this section are from the maps and tables in this report.
2. “Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate,” Series Id. LNS14000000 [online data table], U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed August 10, 2020.
3. “State Employment and Unemployment—March 2020,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed August 10, 2020.
4. “State Jobs and Unemployment” (economic indicators), Economic Policy Institute, April 2020.
5. EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) data and Current Population Survey (CPS) data. Figures are three-month averages.