U.S. August 2012 unemployment rate decreased for all adult groups except black women
While the unemployment rate dropped to 8.1 percent from 8.3 percent in July 2012, it was largely due to Americans giving up the search for work.
On September 6, 2012 President Barack Obama accepted his 2nd Democratic nomination for presidency on the day stocks return to 2007 level. The Dow soared 244 points to close at 13,292 – the highest since December 2007. The last time the stock market was this high, the Great Recession had just started. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index soared to its highest level since January 2008
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 96,000 in August, and the unemployment rate edged down to 8.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Employment increased in food services and drinking places, in professional and technical services, and in health care.
The unemployment rate edged down in August to 8.1 percent. Since the beginning of this year, the rate has held in a narrow range of 8.1 to 8.3 percent. The number of unemployed persons, at 12.5 million, was little changed in August.
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (7.6 percent), adult women (7.3 percent), teenagers (24.6 percent), whites (7.2 percent), blacks (14.1 percent), and Hispanics (10.2 percent) showed little or no change in August. The jobless rate for Asians was 5.9 percent (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year earlier.
In August, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 5.0 million. These individuals accounted for 40.0 percent of the unemployed.
The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons (sometimes referred to as involuntary part-time workers) was little changed at 8.0 million in August. These individuals were working part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job.
In August, 2.6 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force, essentially unchanged from a year earlier. (These data are not seasonally adjusted.) These individuals were not in the labor force, wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.
Among the marginally attached, there were 844,000 discouraged workers in August, a decline of 133,000 from a year earlier. (These data are not seasonally adjusted.) Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them. The remaining 1.7 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in August had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities.
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 96,000 in August. Since the beginning of this year, employment growth has averaged 139,000 per month, compared with an average monthly gain of 153,000 in 2011. In August, employment rose in food services and drinking places, in professional and technical services, and in health care.
Employment in food services and drinking places increased by 28,000 in August and by 298,000 over the past 12 months. Employment in professional and technical services rose in August (+27,000). Job gains occurred in computer systems design and related services (+11,000) and management and technical consulting services (+9,000).
Health care employment rose by 17,000 in August. Ambulatory health care services and hospitals added 14,000 and 6,000 jobs, respectively. From June through August, job growth in health care averaged 15,000 per month, compared with an average monthly
gain of 28,000 in the prior 12 months.
Utilities employment increased in August (+9,000). The increase reflects the return of utility workers who were off payrolls in July due to a labor-management dispute.
Within financial activities, finance and insurance added 11,000 jobs in August.
Employment in wholesale trade continued to trend up. Employment in temporary help services changed little over the month and has shown little movement, on net, since February.
Manufacturing employment edged down in August (-15,000). A decline in motor vehicles and parts (-8,000) partially offset a gain in July. Auto manufacturers laid off fewer workers for factory retooling than usual in July, and fewer workers than usual were recalled in August.
Employment in other major industries, including mining and logging, construction, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, information, and government, showed little change over the month.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Division of Labor Force Statistics
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The Great Recession by the numbers
Dilemma X
The Great Recession and the Global Financial Crisis began in December 2007. The financial crisis was triggered by a complex problems in the United States banking system, the U.S. housing bubble and other financial failures.
Past July unemployment rates:
Past July unemployment rates:
August 2012 was 8.1% The number of unemployed persons was 12.5 million
August 2011 was 9.1% The number of unemployed persons was 14.0 million
August 2010 was 9.6% The number of unemployed persons was 14.9 million
August 2011 was 9.1% The number of unemployed persons was 14.0 million
August 2010 was 9.6% The number of unemployed persons was 14.9 million
August 2009 was 9.7%. The number of unemployed persons was 14.92 million
President Barack Obama assumed office January 20, 2009. In January 2009 the number of unemployed persons was 11.6 million and the unemployment rate was 7.6%.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012 is the next United States presidential election.
In November 2009 the number of unemployed persons was 15.4 million, and the unemployment rate was 10.0%.
In November 2010 the number of unemployed persons was 15.1 million and the unemployment rate was 9.8%.
In November 2011 the number of unemployed persons was 13.3 million and the unemployment rate was 8.6%.
Between January 2009 and March, 2009 more than 2 million jobs were lost and 663,000 were lost in March 2009 alone. The number of unemployed persons increased to 13.2 million that month.
July 2008 was 5.7%. The number of unemployed persons was 8.8 million.
The economy shed 80,000 jobs in March 2008. The unemployment rate in March 2008 ticked up to 5.1% from 4.8%, its highest level since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in September 2005.
July 2007 was 4.5% The number of unemployed persons was 6.9 million.
________________________________________________________________________
George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009.
August 2001 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.9% with a total of 7 million unemployed persons
August 2008 the nation’s unemployment rate was 6.1% with a total of 9.4 million unemployed persons
January 2009 the nation’s unemployment rate was 7.6% with a total of 11.6 million unemployed persons. For whites the unemployment rate was 6.9% and for African Americans it was 12.6%.
Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States from January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001.
August 1994 the nation’s unemployment rate was 6.1% with a total of 8.0 million unemployed persons.
August 2000 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.1% with a total of 5.8 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 3.6% and for blacks 8.0%.
April 2000 -For whites the unemployment rate was 3.5% and for African Americans it was 7.2%. This is the first time the nation’s unemployment rate had been below 4.0% since January 1970.
January 2001 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.2%. The number of unemployed persons rose to 5.95 million.
_______________________________________________________________
August 2012
African American unemployment
The economy shed 80,000 jobs in March 2008. The unemployment rate in March 2008 ticked up to 5.1% from 4.8%, its highest level since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in September 2005.
July 2007 was 4.5% The number of unemployed persons was 6.9 million.
________________________________________________________________________
George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009.
August 2001 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.9% with a total of 7 million unemployed persons
August 2008 the nation’s unemployment rate was 6.1% with a total of 9.4 million unemployed persons
January 2009 the nation’s unemployment rate was 7.6% with a total of 11.6 million unemployed persons. For whites the unemployment rate was 6.9% and for African Americans it was 12.6%.
Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States from January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001.
August 1994 the nation’s unemployment rate was 6.1% with a total of 8.0 million unemployed persons.
August 2000 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.1% with a total of 5.8 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 3.6% and for blacks 8.0%.
April 2000 -For whites the unemployment rate was 3.5% and for African Americans it was 7.2%. This is the first time the nation’s unemployment rate had been below 4.0% since January 1970.
January 2001 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.2%. The number of unemployed persons rose to 5.95 million.
_______________________________________________________________
August 2012
African American unemployment
African American unemployment for August 2012 remained 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for July 2012 was 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for June 2012 was 14.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for April 2012 was 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for March 2012 was 14.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for February 2012 was 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for January 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for December 2011 was to 15.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for November 2011 was 15.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for October 2011 was 15.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for September 2011 was 15.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for August 2011 was 16.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for July 2011 was 15.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for June 2011 was 16.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2011 was 16.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for April 2011 was 16.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2010 was 15.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
By Sex
African American unemployment for men 20 years and over
African American unemployment for June 2012 was 14.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for April 2012 was 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for March 2012 was 14.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for February 2012 was 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for January 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for December 2011 was to 15.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for November 2011 was 15.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for October 2011 was 15.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for September 2011 was 15.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for August 2011 was 16.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for July 2011 was 15.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for June 2011 was 16.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2011 was 16.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for April 2011 was 16.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2010 was 15.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
By Sex
African American unemployment for men 20 years and over
August 2012 decreased to 14.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 14.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 13.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 14.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 12.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 15.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 16.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 16.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 16.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 18.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 17.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 17.0% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 15.5% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was at 17.3%
African American unemployment for women 20 years and over
June 2012 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 13.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 14.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 12.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 15.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 16.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 16.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 16.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 18.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 17.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 17.0% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 15.5% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was at 17.3%
African American unemployment for women 20 years and over
August 2012 increased to 12.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 11.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 12.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 11.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 10.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 12.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 12.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 12.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 13.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 12.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 13.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 13.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 12.0% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 13.4% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 13.2%
African American unemployment for both sexes, 16 to 19 years
June 2012 was 12.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 11.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 10.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 12.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 12.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 12.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 13.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 12.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 13.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 13.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 12.0% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 13.4% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 13.2%
African American unemployment for both sexes, 16 to 19 years
August 2012 increased to 37.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 36.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 39.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 36.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 38.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 40.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 34.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 38.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 42.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 39.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 37.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 43.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 46.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 39.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 39.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 40.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 41.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 38.4% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 40.7% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 45.4%
________________________________________________________
White unemployment
May 2012 was 36.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 38.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 40.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 34.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 38.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 42.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 39.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 37.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 43.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 46.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 39.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 39.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 40.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 41.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 38.4% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 40.7% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 45.4%
________________________________________________________
White unemployment
White unemployment for August 2012 decreased 7.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 7.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 7.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 8.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 8.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 8.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
By Sex
White unemployment for men 20 years and over
June 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 7.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 7.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 8.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 8.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 8.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
By Sex
White unemployment for men 20 years and over
August 2012 decreased to 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 7.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 7.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 7.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 8.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 8.4% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 8.7% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 8.9%
White unemployment for women unemployment 20 years and over
June 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 7.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 7.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 7.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 8.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 8.4% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 8.7% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 8.9%
White unemployment for women unemployment 20 years and over
August 2012 decreased to 6.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 6.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 decreased to 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 7.0% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 7.2% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 7.1%
White unemployment for both sexes, 16 to 19 years
June 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 6.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 decreased to 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 7.0% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 7.2% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 7.1%
White unemployment for both sexes, 16 to 19 years
August 2012 increased to 22.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 21.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 20.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 22.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 22.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 22.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 21.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 21.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 20.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 21.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 21.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 21.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 22.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 23.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 21.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 20.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 22.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 25.1% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 23.0% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 23.8%
__________________________________________________________________________
Seasonally Adjusted
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Seasonal adjustment is a statistical method for removing the seasonal component of a time series used when analyzing non-seasonal trends. Whereas, not-seasonally-adjusted reflects the actual current data. It is normal to report not-seasonally-adjusted data for current unemployment rates. Seasonally adjusted data may be used for the longer term comparison.
Total employment and unemployment vary throughout the year. For example,higher unemployment in January and February isn’t uncommon because of work in agriculture, construction and other seasonal industries slowing down. Also, both employment and unemployment rise every June, when students enter the labor force in search of summer jobs. Seasonally adjusted numbers also take into account seasonal hiring/layoff patterns that go along with winter and summer holidays.
June 2012 was 20.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 22.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 22.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 22.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 21.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 21.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 20.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 21.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 21.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 21.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 22.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 23.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 21.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 20.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 22.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 25.1% (Not seasonally adjusted).
September 2009 was 23.0% (Not seasonally adjusted).
August 2010 was 23.8%
__________________________________________________________________________
Seasonally Adjusted
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Seasonal adjustment is a statistical method for removing the seasonal component of a time series used when analyzing non-seasonal trends. Whereas, not-seasonally-adjusted reflects the actual current data. It is normal to report not-seasonally-adjusted data for current unemployment rates. Seasonally adjusted data may be used for the longer term comparison.
Total employment and unemployment vary throughout the year. For example,higher unemployment in January and February isn’t uncommon because of work in agriculture, construction and other seasonal industries slowing down. Also, both employment and unemployment rise every June, when students enter the labor force in search of summer jobs. Seasonally adjusted numbers also take into account seasonal hiring/layoff patterns that go along with winter and summer holidays.
Dilemma X 
September 7, 2012
U.S. unemployment rate