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Unemployment

50 U.S. counties with the highest unemployment

Sept. 5, 2018Updated Sept. 6, 2018, 7:19 a.m. ET
24/7 Wall Street reviewed May 2018 unemployment rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the 50 counties with the highest unemployment. Unemployment rates on this list are not seasonally adjusted and range from 7.7 percent to over 20 percent -- well more than double the 3.6 percent national unemployment rate that month. In states without counties, county equivalents were considered.
24/7 Wall Street reviewed May 2018 unemployment rates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the 50 counties with the highest unemployment. Unemployment rates on this list are not seasonally adjusted and range from 7.7 percent to over 20 percent -- well more than double the 3.6 percent national unemployment rate that month. In states without counties, county equivalents were considered.
Dimedrol68 / IStock
50. Merced County, California May unemployment: 7.7 percentPopulation: 265,001Poverty rate: 24.2 percentMedian household income: $44,397County seat: Merced
50. Merced County, California
May unemployment: 7.7 percentPopulation: 265,001Poverty rate: 24.2 percentMedian household income: $44,397County seat: Merced
Diegograndi / Getty Images
49. Kern County, California May unemployment: 7.7% Population: 871,337 Poverty rate: 23.1% Median household income: $49,788 County seat: Bakersfield
49. Kern County, California
May unemployment: 7.7%
Population: 871,337
Poverty rate: 23.1%
Median household income: $49,788
County seat: Bakersfield
GaryKavanagh / Getty Images
48. Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska May unemployment: 7.7 percent Population: 57,637 Poverty rate: 11.0 percent Median household income: $64,891 Borough seat: Soldotna
48. Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
May unemployment: 7.7 percent
Population: 57,637
Poverty rate: 11.0 percent
Median household income: $64,891
Borough seat: Soldotna
Wonderlane / Flickr
47. Mingo County, West Virginia May unemployment: 7.8% Population: 25,549 Poverty rate: 26.0% Median household income: $32,441 County seat: Williamson
47. Mingo County, West Virginia
May unemployment: 7.8%
Population: 25,549
Poverty rate: 26.0%
Median household income: $32,441
County seat: Williamson
FloNight (Sydney Poore) And Russell Poore / Wikimedia Commons
46. Big Horn County, Montana May unemployment: 7.9% Population: 13,214 Poverty rate: 27.8% Median household income: $44,136 County seat: Hardin
46. Big Horn County, Montana
May unemployment: 7.9%
Population: 13,214
Poverty rate: 27.8%
Median household income: $44,136
County seat: Hardin
Afiler / Flickr
45. West Carroll Parish, Louisiana May unemployment: 7.9 percent Population: 11,370 Poverty rate: 24.0 percent Median household income: $36,670 Parish seat: Oak Grove
45. West Carroll Parish, Louisiana
May unemployment: 7.9 percent
Population: 11,370
Poverty rate: 24.0 percent
Median household income: $36,670
Parish seat: Oak Grove
Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
44. Madison Parish, Louisiana May unemployment: 8.0 percent Population: 11,803 Poverty rate: 39.6 percent Median household income: $25,404 Parish seat: Tallulah
44. Madison Parish, Louisiana
May unemployment: 8.0 percent
Population: 11,803
Poverty rate: 39.6 percent
Median household income: $25,404
Parish seat: Tallulah
Anthony George / Flickr
43. McDowell County, West Virginia May unemployment: 8.0% Population: 20,273 Poverty rate: 37.6% Median household income: $25,206 County seat: Welch
43. McDowell County, West Virginia
May unemployment: 8.0%
Population: 20,273
Poverty rate: 37.6%
Median household income: $25,206
County seat: Welch
NASKWV / Flickr
42. Apache County, Arizona May unemployment: 8.0% Population: 72,346 Poverty rate: 36.2% Median household income: $32,460 County seat: St. Johns
42. Apache County, Arizona
May unemployment: 8.0%
Population: 72,346
Poverty rate: 36.2%
Median household income: $32,460
County seat: St. Johns
Oralleff / Getty Images
41. Keweenaw County, Michigan May unemployment: 8.0% Population: 2,195 Poverty rate: 17.0% Median household income: $41,472 County seat: Eagle River
41. Keweenaw County, Michigan
May unemployment: 8.0%
Population: 2,195
Poverty rate: 17.0%
Median household income: $41,472
County seat: Eagle River
Nameinfame / Getty Images
40. Montmorency County, Michigan May unemployment: 8.0% Population: 9,317 Poverty rate: 16.3% Median household income: $37,145 County seat: Atlanta
40. Montmorency County, Michigan
May unemployment: 8.0%
Population: 9,317
Poverty rate: 16.3%
Median household income: $37,145
County seat: Atlanta
Engineerd / Flickr
39. Morehouse Parish, Louisiana May unemployment: 8.1 percent Population: 26,739 Poverty rate: 28.8 percent Median household income: $30,279 Parish seat: Bastrop
39. Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
May unemployment: 8.1 percent
Population: 26,739
Poverty rate: 28.8 percent
Median household income: $30,279
Parish seat: Bastrop
Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
38. Wilkinson County, Mississippi May unemployment: 8.3% Population: 9,233 Poverty rate: 35.6% Median household income: $25,846 County seat: Woodville
38. Wilkinson County, Mississippi
May unemployment: 8.3%
Population: 9,233
Poverty rate: 35.6%
Median household income: $25,846
County seat: Woodville
Flooded / Flickr
37. Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska May unemployment: 8.3 percent Population: 98,679 Poverty rate: 9.7 percent Median household income: $73,908 Borough seat: Palmer
37. Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
May unemployment: 8.3 percent
Population: 98,679
Poverty rate: 9.7 percent
Median household income: $73,908
Borough seat: Palmer
ChrisBoswell / Getty Images
36. Humphreys County, Mississippi May unemployment: 8.4% Population: 8,822 Poverty rate: 42.5% Median household income: $23,442 County seat: Belzoni
36. Humphreys County, Mississippi
May unemployment: 8.4%
Population: 8,822
Poverty rate: 42.5%
Median household income: $23,442
County seat: Belzoni
BOB WESTON / Getty Images
35. Maverick County, Texas May unemployment: 8.4% Population: 56,830 Poverty rate: 24.7% Median household income: $37,155 County seat: Eagle Pass
35. Maverick County, Texas
May unemployment: 8.4%
Population: 56,830
Poverty rate: 24.7%
Median household income: $37,155
County seat: Eagle Pass
BOB WESTON / Getty Images
34. Alger County, Michigan May unemployment: 8.4% Population: 9,396 Poverty rate: 13.1% Median household income: $41,270 County seat: Munising
34. Alger County, Michigan
May unemployment: 8.4%
Population: 9,396
Poverty rate: 13.1%
Median household income: $41,270
County seat: Munising
Baluzek / Getty Images
33. Tulare County, California May unemployment: 8.5% Population: 455,769 Poverty rate: 28.3% Median household income: $42,789 County seat: Visalia
33. Tulare County, California
May unemployment: 8.5%
Population: 455,769
Poverty rate: 28.3%
Median household income: $42,789
County seat: Visalia
Tupungato / Getty Images
32. Haines Borough, Alaska May unemployment: 8.5 percent Population: 2,528 Poverty rate: 5.3 percent Median household income: $53,125 Borough seat: Haines
32. Haines Borough, Alaska
May unemployment: 8.5 percent
Population: 2,528
Poverty rate: 5.3 percent
Median household income: $53,125
Borough seat: Haines
Arthur Chapman / Wikimedia Commons
31. Petersburg Borough, Alaska May unemployment: 8.6% Population:N/A Poverty rate:N/A Median household income:N/A Borough seat: Petersburg
31. Petersburg Borough, Alaska
May unemployment: 8.6%
Population:N/A
Poverty rate:N/A
Median household income:N/A
Borough seat: Petersburg
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
30. Issaquena County, Mississippi May unemployment: 8.6% Population: 1,352 Poverty rate: 40.4% Median household income: $24,306 County seat: Mayersville
30. Issaquena County, Mississippi
May unemployment: 8.6%
Population: 1,352
Poverty rate: 40.4%
Median household income: $24,306
County seat: Mayersville
Roger Smith / Flickr
29. Kemper County, Mississippi May unemployment: 8.6 percent Population: 10,128 Poverty rate: 29.9 percent Median household income: $29,925 County seat: De Kalb
29. Kemper County, Mississippi
May unemployment: 8.6 percent
Population: 10,128
Poverty rate: 29.9 percent
Median household income: $29,925
County seat: De Kalb
XTUV0010 / Wikimedia Commons
28. Pocahontas County, West Virginia May unemployment: 8.6% Population: 8,620 Poverty rate: 18.6% Median household income: $36,026 County seat: Marlinton
28. Pocahontas County, West Virginia
May unemployment: 8.6%
Population: 8,620
Poverty rate: 18.6%
Median household income: $36,026
County seat: Marlinton
John M. Chase / Getty Images
27. Claiborne County, Mississippi May unemployment: 8.7 percent Population: 9,209 Poverty rate: 41.2 percent Median household income: $25,000 County seat: Port Gibson
27. Claiborne County, Mississippi
May unemployment: 8.7 percent
Population: 9,209
Poverty rate: 41.2 percent
Median household income: $25,000
County seat: Port Gibson
Thinkstock
26. Calhoun County, West Virginia May unemployment: 8.8 percent Population: 7,482 Poverty rate: 15.9 percent Median household income: $39,384 County seat: Grantsville
26. Calhoun County, West Virginia
May unemployment: 8.8 percent
Population: 7,482
Poverty rate: 15.9 percent
Median household income: $39,384
County seat: Grantsville
Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / Wikimedia Commons
25. Wilcox County, Alabama May unemployment: 8.9% Population: 11,119 Poverty rate: 34.9% Median household income: $24,442 County seat: Camden
25. Wilcox County, Alabama
May unemployment: 8.9%
Population: 11,119
Poverty rate: 34.9%
Median household income: $24,442
County seat: Camden
Diversey / Flickr
24. Zavala County, Texas May unemployment: 9.0% Population: 12,107 Poverty rate: 35.8% Median household income: $26,639 County seat: Crystal City
24. Zavala County, Texas
May unemployment: 9.0%
Population: 12,107
Poverty rate: 35.8%
Median household income: $26,639
County seat: Crystal City
Mlhradio / Flickr
23. Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota May unemployment: 9.2% Population:N/A Poverty rate:N/A Median household income:N/A County seat: Hot Springs
23. Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota
May unemployment: 9.2%
Population:N/A
Poverty rate:N/A
Median household income:N/A
County seat: Hot Springs
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
22. Dillingham Census Area, Alaska May unemployment: 9.2% Population: 4,980 Poverty rate: 16.5% Median household income: $56,055 Largest city: Dillingham
22. Dillingham Census Area, Alaska
May unemployment: 9.2%
Population: 4,980
Poverty rate: 16.5%
Median household income: $56,055
Largest city: Dillingham
Umnak / Flickr
21. East Carroll Parish, Louisiana May unemployment: 9.3 percent Population: 7,419 Poverty rate: 48.7 percent Median household income: $22,093 Parish seat: Lake Providence
21. East Carroll Parish, Louisiana
May unemployment: 9.3 percent
Population: 7,419
Poverty rate: 48.7 percent
Median household income: $22,093
Parish seat: Lake Providence
Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons
20. Ontonagon County, Michigan May unemployment: 9.4% Population: 6,165 Poverty rate: 15.2% Median household income: $35,038 County seat: Ontonagon
20. Ontonagon County, Michigan
May unemployment: 9.4%
Population: 6,165
Poverty rate: 15.2%
Median household income: $35,038
County seat: Ontonagon
Jimfeng / Getty Images
19. Starr County, Texas May unemployment: 9.6% Population: 63,008 Poverty rate: 37.6% Median household income: $26,682 County seat: Rio Grande City
19. Starr County, Texas
May unemployment: 9.6%
Population: 63,008
Poverty rate: 37.6%
Median household income: $26,682
County seat: Rio Grande City
Formulanone / Flickr
18. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska May unemployment: 9.7 percent Population: 6,970 Poverty rate: 13.6 percent Median household income: $63,713 Largest city: Delta Junction
18. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska
May unemployment: 9.7 percent
Population: 6,970
Poverty rate: 13.6 percent
Median household income: $63,713
Largest city: Delta Junction
Bromley / Flickr
17. Holmes County, Mississippi May unemployment: 9.8% Population: 18,547 Poverty rate: 45.0% Median household income: $20,800 County seat: Lexington
17. Holmes County, Mississippi
May unemployment: 9.8%
Population: 18,547
Poverty rate: 45.0%
Median household income: $20,800
County seat: Lexington
BOB WESTON / Getty Images
16. Luna County, New Mexico May unemployment: 10.5% Population: 24,627 Poverty rate: 29.5% Median household income: $27,326 County seat: Deming
16. Luna County, New Mexico
May unemployment: 10.5%
Population: 24,627
Poverty rate: 29.5%
Median household income: $27,326
County seat: Deming
BOB WESTON / Getty Images
15. Willacy County, Texas May unemployment: 11.0% Population: 21,944 Poverty rate: 37.2% Median household income: $28,817 County seat: Raymondville
15. Willacy County, Texas
May unemployment: 11.0%
Population: 21,944
Poverty rate: 37.2%
Median household income: $28,817
County seat: Raymondville
BOB WESTON / Getty Images
14. Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska May unemployment: 11.1 percent Population: 2,107 Poverty rate: 12.3 percent Median household income: $54,091 Largest city: Hoonah
14. Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska
May unemployment: 11.1 percent
Population: 2,107
Poverty rate: 12.3 percent
Median household income: $54,091
Largest city: Hoonah
R4andred / Flickr
13. Colusa County, California May unemployment: 11.5% Population: 21,361 Poverty rate: 13.5% Median household income: $54,946 County seat: Colusa
13. Colusa County, California
May unemployment: 11.5%
Population: 21,361
Poverty rate: 13.5%
Median household income: $54,946
County seat: Colusa
Kreulen / Getty Images
12. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska May unemployment: 11.6% Population: 6,374 Poverty rate: 14.9% Median household income: $51,887 Largest city: Craig
12. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska
May unemployment: 11.6%
Population: 6,374
Poverty rate: 14.9%
Median household income: $51,887
Largest city: Craig
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
11. Ferry County, Washington May unemployment: 11.9% Population: 7,639 Poverty rate: 23.5% Median household income: $39,555 County seat: Republic
11. Ferry County, Washington
May unemployment: 11.9%
Population: 7,639
Poverty rate: 23.5%
Median household income: $39,555
County seat: Republic
Robert Ashworth From Bellingham, WA., USA / Wikimedia Commons
10. Magoffin County, Kentucky May unemployment: 12.0% Population: 12,887 Poverty rate: 29.5% Median household income: $29,463 County seat: Slayersville
10. Magoffin County, Kentucky
May unemployment: 12.0%
Population: 12,887
Poverty rate: 29.5%
Median household income: $29,463
County seat: Slayersville
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
9. Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska May unemployment: 12.4% Population: 1,411 Poverty rate: 18.8% Median household income: $43,864 Borough seat: King Salmon
9. Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska
May unemployment: 12.4%
Population: 1,411
Poverty rate: 18.8%
Median household income: $43,864
Borough seat: King Salmon
Thinkstock
8. Jefferson County, Mississippi May unemployment: 12.9 percent Population: 7,528 Poverty rate: 39.7 percent Median household income: $23,773 County seat: Fayette
8. Jefferson County, Mississippi
May unemployment: 12.9 percent
Population: 7,528
Poverty rate: 39.7 percent
Median household income: $23,773
County seat: Fayette
BOB WESTON / Getty Images
7. Nome Census Area, Alaska May unemployment: 13.5% Population: 9,879 Poverty rate: 27.0% Median household income: $51,563 Largest city: Nome
7. Nome Census Area, Alaska
May unemployment: 13.5%
Population: 9,879
Poverty rate: 27.0%
Median household income: $51,563
Largest city: Nome
Https://www.flickr.com/photos/umnak/
6. Bethel Census Area, Alaska May unemployment: 14.2% Population: 17,885 Poverty rate: 26.6% Median household income: $53,296 Largest city: Bethel
6. Bethel Census Area, Alaska
May unemployment: 14.2%
Population: 17,885
Poverty rate: 26.6%
Median household income: $53,296
Largest city: Bethel
Travis / Flickr
5. Imperial County, California May unemployment: 15.6% Population: 178,807 Poverty rate: 24.1% Median household income: $42,560 County seat: El Centro
5. Imperial County, California
May unemployment: 15.6%
Population: 178,807
Poverty rate: 24.1%
Median household income: $42,560
County seat: El Centro
Ruggybear / Flickr
4. Yuma County, Arizona May unemployment: 16.0 percent Population: 203,292 Poverty rate: 20.5 percent Median household income: $41,467 County seat: Yuma
4. Yuma County, Arizona
May unemployment: 16.0 percent Population: 203,292
Poverty rate: 20.5 percent
Median household income: $41,467
County seat: Yuma
Gsbarclay / Getty Images
3. Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska May unemployment: 16.8% Population: 7,723 Poverty rate: 24.5% Median household income: $61,341 Borough seat: Kotzebue
3. Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
May unemployment: 16.8%
Population: 7,723
Poverty rate: 24.5%
Median household income: $61,341
Borough seat: Kotzebue
Thinkstock
2. Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska May unemployment: 17.6 percent Population: 5,600 Poverty rate: 23.5 percent Median household income: $38,451 Largest city: Fort Yukon
2. Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska
May unemployment: 17.6 percent
Population: 5,600
Poverty rate: 23.5 percent
Median household income: $38,451
Largest city: Fort Yukon
Ilya_ktsn / Flickr
1. Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska May unemployment: 21.8 percent Population: N/A Poverty rate:N/A Median household income:N/A Largest city: Hooper Bay
1. Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska
May unemployment: 21.8 percent
Population: N/A
Poverty rate:N/A
Median household income:N/A
Largest city: Hooper Bay
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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