Labor Department data released on Friday shows the states with the highest unemployment rates in April, and how many jobs were lost that month as the coronavirus upended the economy.
Nevada was the state with the nation’s highest unemployment rate in April at just over 28%, followed by Michigan and Hawaii, which both had rates around 22%, the Department of Labor reported Friday.
Unemployment rates in 43 states set record highs in April compared to Labor Department data that goes back to 1976. The coronavirus outbreak, along with the business closures and stay-at-home orders adopted to control it, have led to a sharp economic downturn that is driving widespread job losses across most industries and states.
The national unemployment rate was about 14.7%, the Labor Department said, up 11 points compared to April of last year.
Route Fifty
by Bill Lucia
MAY 22, 2020