10) Indiana
Unemployment: 9.9%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 66,800
No. of weeks (other unemployed residents may have): 26
Total population: 6,423,113
No. residents losing insurance in December: 66,800
No. of weeks (other unemployed residents may have): 26
Total population: 6,423,113
Indiana's unemployment rate has remained constant over the last year, hovering around 10%. However, according to Valerie Kroeger of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the size of Indiana's labor force and the amount of private sector jobs have both grown. This has led to an overall improvement in the unemployment rate, which lowered to 9.9% in October. Unfortunately for Indiana residents, that still keeps the state above the national average of 9.6%. (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)
9) Ohio
Unemployment:
No. residents losing insurance in December: 88,500
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 11,542,645
Unemployment:
No. residents losing insurance in December: 88,500
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 11,542,645
According to outgoing governor Ted Strickland, "Ohio's unemployment rate has fallen for seven consecutive months and Ohio had the fifth fastest-growing economy over the past 12 months, according to the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia. Our forward-looking policies are putting Ohioans back to work, helping business recover from the global recession, and attracting new, growing industries to Ohio." The Governor has not yet commented about the 88,500 people who will lose all unemployment insurance in the coming month. (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)
8) Georgia
Unemployment: 9.9%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 90,000
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 9,829,211
Unemployment: 9.9%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 90,000
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 9,829,211
Georgia's unemployment rate, which stands at 9.9%, has exceeded the national average rate for 37 consecutive months, according to the state's labor department. Furthermore, the number of long-term jobless, defined as those out of work for at least 27 weeks, has increased by 63% from last October to this year. As a result, the state has increased unemployment taxes for about 15 percent of businesses in both 2009 and 2010. (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)
7) Michigan
Unemployment:12.8%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 91,700
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 9,969,727
Unemployment:12.8%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 91,700
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 9,969,727
Michigan, often the poster child for unemployment, has the second highest unemployment rate in the country at 12.8%. Some are forecasting that the state's economy will recover slowly. Progress has already been seen in cities including Detroit, but Michigan will have more than 90,000 people lose coverage in December. Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm recently urged Congress to pass the federal extension, claiming "In Michigan, we are emerging from these difficult economic times, but we still have many families who continue to weather this storm." (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)
6) Florida
Unemployment: 11.9%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 107,500
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 18,537,969
Unemployment: 11.9%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 107,500
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 18,537,969
Florida has a high unemployment rate of 11.9% - the third worst in the country - with 1.1 million Floridians out of work. In January, state unemployment taxes will almost triple for most businesses that currently pay the minimum, increasing from around $25 to $70 per employee. Governor-elect Rick Scott has also pledged to create 700,000 new jobs in the state in seven years, although opponents have been highly skeptical of this plan.
5) Illinois
Unemployment: 9.8%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 127,800
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 12,910,409
Unemployment: 9.8%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 127,800
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 12,910,409
Illinois, which has an unemployment rate of just under 10%, has had its unemployment rate drop for seven consecutive months after reaching a high of 12.2% in the beginning of this year. While the rate of 9.8% remains above the national average, it is decreasing rapidly, and may soon be below it. In Chicago, Mayor Richard Daley recently initiated four business growth plans, stating "In this tough economic climate, we will work together to enhance commercial growth, support revitalization efforts and develop new employment opportunities." The mayor is retiring this year after 21 years in office. (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)
4) Texas
Unemployment: 8.1%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 127,900
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 24,782,302
Unemployment: 8.1%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 127,900
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 24,782,302
Although the Texas unemployment rate is below the national average of 9.6%, many unemployed residents will be left without any benefits by December 31st due to the state's massive population. However, the state added almost 48,000 jobs this past October and 172,800 in the last year, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)
3) Pennsylvania
Unemployment: 8.8%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 133,100
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 12,604,767
Unemployment: 8.8%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 133,100
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 12,604,767
Although it has only the sixth-largest population, Pennsylvania has the third-highest number unemployed residents losing benefits this December. Governor Ed Rendell said earlier this month: "We're not talking about welfare; these are insurance benefits for which people have paid all their working lives. And we're talking about providing temporary help for hardworking people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own." If the benefits aren't extended, Pennsylvania may soon have to be talking about welfare for 130,ooo people. (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)
2) New York
Unemployment: 8.3%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 160,300
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 19,541,453
Unemployment: 8.3%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 160,300
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 19,541,453
With over 160,000 unemployed residents facing indigence, New York has become a political hotspot with regards the plight of the unemployed. There have been many protests on behalf of and by the jobless, most of which have called for Congress to extend benefits. Included in those who wish to extend benefits is outgoing Governor David Paterson. (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)
1) California
Unemployment: 12.4%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 410,700
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 36,961,664
Unemployment: 12.4%
No. residents losing insurance in December: 410,700
No. of weeks: 26
Total population: 36,961,664
California has more residents at risk of losing unemployment benefits than 36 other states and Washington D.C. combined. The state has the third-worst unemployment rate in the country - 12.4%. Its rate has been above 10% since 2008, and appears to be recovering more slowly than the national average. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency last year when unemployment had reached a mere 11.2%. The Governor, whose approval rating is in the 20's, will shortly be succeeded by Jerry Brown. (More info at 24/7 Wall Street.)