Unemployment Rate
Unemployment Rates
Washington and U.S.
| Year | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 9.2% | 8.9% |
| 2010 | 9.9% | 9.6% |
| 2009 | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| 2008 | 5.5% | 5.8% |
| 2007 | 4.5% | 4.6% |
| 2006 | 4.9% | 4.6% |
| 2005 | 5.5% | 5.1% |
| 2004 | 6.2% | 5.5% |
| 2003 | 7.4% | 6.0% |
| 2002 | 7.3% | 5.8% |
| 2001 | 6.2% | 4.7% |
| 2000 | 5.0% | 4.0% |
| 1999 | 4.9% | 4.2% |
| 1998 | 4.8% | 4.5% |
| 1997 | 4.9% | 4.9% |
| 1996 | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| 1995 | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 1994 | 6.5% | 6.1% |
| 1993 | 7.1% | 6.9% |
| 1992 | 7.2% | 7.5% |
| 1991 | 6.3% | 6.8% |
| 1990 | 5.2% | 5.6% |
1970-2011
- Historically, the unemployment rate in Washington has been higher than the U.S. average, due primarily to a relatively high share of resource-based industries in the state which have more volatile seasonal employment patterns.
- Change in Washington unemployment rates has tracked closely with the U.S. trend, but the difference between the state and the U.S. rates usually widens during the economic downturns.
- The 2000-2003 run-up in jobless rates was a result of the bursting of the Dot-Com bubble in conjunction with the 9/11 recession; this had a more pronounced impact on the Seattle area because of the localized concentration of Dot-Com start-ups and aerospace employment.
- The current jump in unemployment rates is retaliated to the breaking of the housing market/equities/commodities bubble which hit Washington and the nation with similar force.
Data source:
Last modified: May 29, 2012
E-mail: OFM.Forecasting@ofm.wa.gov
