5 States with the Highest Unemployment Rates

3. California

Unemployment Rate: 4.6%

In August, the number of unemployed individuals in California increased by 9,800 compared to July and reached 894,700. This was up by 171,000 compared to August 2022. The state reported that 394,757 people certified for unemployment insurance benefits during a sample week in August. Moreover, a bill passed by the Legislature, Senate Bill 799, could extend unemployment benefits to striking workers after two weeks. The counties with the highest unemployment rates were Imperial at 19.7%, Tulare at 9.8%, and Colusa at 9.4%, while San Mateo had the lowest rate at 3.3%. The state also added 23,100 non-farm payroll jobs in August.