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Counties with the highest unemployment rate in Florida
Unemployment rates, while significantly lower than the alarming pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, remain a subject of concern, notably as bandy around the idea of a by 2023. The last economic recession鈥攖he Great Recession of 2008-2010鈥攕ent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. It was that unemployment finally went down to the same level it sits at now.
As of October of this year, national unemployment is at 3.7%, 0.2% higher than in September. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state demonstrate , ranging from just 2.0% in Minnesota, to 4.5% in Illinois and 4.7% in the District of Columbia. Further breakdown by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows yet another county-based spectrum within each state.
To that end, compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rate in Florida using data from the . Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in September 2022.
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#50. Brevard County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 303,521 (7,622 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 303,521 (7,622 unemployed)
#49. Hillsborough County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 814,062 (20,056 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 814,062 (20,056 unemployed)
#48. Sarasota County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 201,098 (5,033 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 201,098 (5,033 unemployed)
#47. Broward County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 1,084,533 (27,881 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 1,084,533 (27,881 unemployed)
#46. Collier County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 187,814 (4,893 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 187,814 (4,893 unemployed)
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#45. DeSoto County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 15,599 (411 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 15,599 (411 unemployed)
#44. Escambia County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 153,240 (4,056 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 153,240 (4,056 unemployed)
#43. Gilchrist County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 7,606 (201 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 7,606 (201 unemployed)
#42. Lafayette County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 2,854 (74 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 2,854 (74 unemployed)
#41. Lee County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 372,106 (9,645 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 372,106 (9,645 unemployed)
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#40. Leon County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 163,162 (4,197 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 163,162 (4,197 unemployed)
#39. Manatee County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 191,773 (4,923 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 191,773 (4,923 unemployed)
#38. Orange County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
- Total labor force: 791,912 (20,844 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
- Total labor force: 791,912 (20,844 unemployed)
#37. Palm Beach County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 773,178 (20,428 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 773,178 (20,428 unemployed)
#36. Dixie County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 6,251 (171 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 6,251 (171 unemployed)
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#35. Duval County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 522,060 (13,845 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 522,060 (13,845 unemployed)
#34. Holmes County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 7,233 (192 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 7,233 (192 unemployed)
#33. Lake County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 171,309 (4,667 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 171,309 (4,667 unemployed)
#32. Bradford County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 11,345 (317 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 11,345 (317 unemployed)
#31. Columbia County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 30,035 (839 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 30,035 (839 unemployed)
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#30. Jackson County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 17,448 (495 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 17,448 (495 unemployed)
#29. Jefferson County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 5,928 (164 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 5,928 (164 unemployed)
#28. Okeechobee County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 17,746 (492 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 17,746 (492 unemployed)
#27. Pasco County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 261,544 (7,218 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 261,544 (7,218 unemployed)
#26. Union County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: +0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 4,831 (134 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: +0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 4,831 (134 unemployed)
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#25. Volusia County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 269,503 (7,509 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 269,503 (7,509 unemployed)
#24. Washington County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 9,939 (275 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 9,939 (275 unemployed)
#23. Calhoun County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 5,098 (147 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 5,098 (147 unemployed)
#22. Glades County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 5,220 (150 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 5,220 (150 unemployed)
#21. Levy County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 17,555 (501 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 17,555 (501 unemployed)
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#20. Liberty County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 2,691 (78 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 2,691 (78 unemployed)
#19. Madison County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 8,158 (237 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 8,158 (237 unemployed)
#18. Suwannee County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 17,832 (521 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 17,832 (521 unemployed)
#17. Charlotte County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 76,737 (2,266 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 76,737 (2,266 unemployed)
#16. Flagler County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 51,136 (1,531 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 51,136 (1,531 unemployed)
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#15. Taylor County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 8,023 (239 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 8,023 (239 unemployed)
#14. Gadsden County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
- Total labor force: 21,081 (660 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
- Total labor force: 21,081 (660 unemployed)
#13. Indian River County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 67,919 (2,130 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 67,919 (2,130 unemployed)
#12. St. Lucie County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 157,692 (4,836 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 157,692 (4,836 unemployed)
#11. Hernando County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 77,793 (2,526 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 77,793 (2,526 unemployed)
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#10. Marion County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 146,223 (4,698 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 146,223 (4,698 unemployed)
#9. Osceola County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -2.2%
- Total labor force: 197,370 (6,267 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -2.2%
- Total labor force: 197,370 (6,267 unemployed)
#8. Polk County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 342,927 (10,861 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 342,927 (10,861 unemployed)
#7. Hardee County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 9,076 (312 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 9,076 (312 unemployed)
#6. Hamilton County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
- Total labor force: 4,252 (155 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.8%
- Total labor force: 4,252 (155 unemployed)
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#5. Putnam County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.9%
- Total labor force: 27,982 (1,006 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.9%
- Total labor force: 27,982 (1,006 unemployed)
#4. Sumter County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 36,453 (1,436 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 36,453 (1,436 unemployed)
#3. Citrus County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 47,855 (1,929 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 47,855 (1,929 unemployed)
#2. Highlands County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 34,412 (1,420 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 34,412 (1,420 unemployed)
#1. Hendry County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 16,142 (772 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 16,142 (772 unemployed)
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