U.S. unemployment rate remains 5.5 percent in May 2015

U.S. unemployment rate remains 5.5 percent in May 2015
White men decreased to 4.2%, Black men increased to 10.2%

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 280,000 in May, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 5.5 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and health care. Mining employment continued to decline.

In May, both the unemployment rate (5.5 percent) and the number of unemployed persons (8.7 million) were essentially unchanged. Both measures have shown little movement since February.

The number of unemployed new entrants edged up by 103,000 in May but is about unchanged over the year. Unemployed new entrants are those who never previously worked.

The number of persons unemployed for less than 5 weeks decreased by 311,000 to 2.4 million in May, following an increase in April. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) held at 2.5 million in May and accounted for 28.6 percent of the unemployed. Over the past 12 months, the number of long-term unemployed is down by 849,000.

In May, 1.9 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force, down by 268,000 from a year earlier. (The 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 563,000 discouraged workers in May, down by 134,000 from a year earlier. (The 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 1.3 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in May had not searched for work for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities.
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The number of job openings rose to 5.4 million on the last business day of April, the highest since the series began in December 2000, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The number of hires was little changed at 5.0 million in April and the number of separations was little changed at 4.9 million.

Within separations, the quits rate was 1.9 percent and the layoffs and discharges rate was 1.3 percent, both little different from the previous month. This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the nonfarm sector by industry and by four geographic regions.

Job Openings
Job openings rose to 5.4 million on the last business day of April, the highest point since the series began in December 2000. The job openings rate for April 2015 was 3.7 percent. The number of job openings increased for total private and was essentially unchanged for government. At the industry level, job openings rose over the month in health care and social assistance but fell in arts, entertainment, and recreation. In the regions, job openings increased in the West.

The number of job openings (not seasonally adjusted) increased over the 12 months ending in April for total nonfarm, total private, and government. Job openings increased over the year for many industries with the largest changes occurring in professional and business services and in health care and social assistance. Job openings decreased over the year in mining and logging and in arts, entertainment, and recreation. The number of job openings increased over the year in all four regions.

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Video: Prospects for Fed rate hike grow- May 2015

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Video: Is Jobs Data Truly Good News About U.S. Economy?

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The Great Recession by the numbers

Dilemma X

The Great Recession and the Global Financial Crisis began in December 2007. By December 2008 the unemployment rate reached 7.2% and reached its peak in October 2009 with an unemployment rate of 10.2%. The financial crisis was triggered by a complex problems in the United States banking system, the U.S. housing bubble and other financial failures.

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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%.

Unemployment peaked in October 2009 with an unemployment rate of 10.2% and 15.7 million unemployed persons.

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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.
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George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
January 2001 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.2% with a total of 6.0 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 3.6% and for blacks 8.4%.
January 2008 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.9% with a total of 7.6 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 4.4% and for blacks 9.2%.
December 2008 the nation’s unemployment rate was 7.2% with a total of 11.1 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 6.6% and for blacks 11.9%.
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%.
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Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States from January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
January 1994 the nation’s unemployment rate was 5.4% with a total of 7.2 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 4.8% and for blacks 9.8%.
In September 2000 the unemployment rate was 3.9%. This was the first time the nation’s unemployment rate had been below 4.0% since January 1970. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 3.5% and for blacks 7.0%.
January 2000 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.0% with a total of 5.7 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 3.5% and for blacks 7.6%.
December 2000 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.0% with a total of 5.7 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 3.5% and for blacks 7.6%.
January 2001 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.2%. The number of unemployed persons rose to 5.95 million. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 3.6% and for blacks 8.4%.

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May 2015
African American unemployment
African American unemployment for May 2015 increased to 10.2% (Seasonally adjusted)

African American unemployment for April 2015 was 9.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for March 2015 was 10.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for February 2015 was 10.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for January 2015 was 10.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for December 2014 was 10.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for November 2014 was 11.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for October 2014 was 10.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for September 2014 was 11.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for August 2014 was 11.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for July 2014 was 11.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for June 2014 was 10.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2014 was 11.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for January 2014 was 12.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for December 2013 was 11.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for November 2013 was 12.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for October 2013 was 13.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for September 2013 was 12.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for August 2013 was 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for July 2013 was 12.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for June 2013 was 13.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2013 was 13.5%(Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for April 2013 was 13.2%(Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for March 2013 was 13.3%(Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for February 2013 was 13.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for January 2013 was 13.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for December 2012 was 14.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for November 2012 was 13.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for October 2012 was 14.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for September 2012 was13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for August 2012 was 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)

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By Sex African American unemployment for men 20 years and over
May 2015 decreased to 10.2% (Seasonally adjusted)

April 2015 was 9.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2015 was 10.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2015 was 10.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2015 was 10.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2014 was 11.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2014 was 11.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2014 was 10.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2014 was 11.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2014 was 10.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2014 was 11.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2014 was 10.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2014 was 11.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2014 was 12.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2013 was 11.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2013 was 12.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2013 was 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2013 was 14.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2013 was 13.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2013 was 12.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2013 was 13.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2013 was 13.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2013 was 13.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2013 was 12.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2013 was 12.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2013 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2012 was 14.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2012 was 12.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 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%

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African American unemployment for women 20 years and over
May 2015 remained 8.8% (Seasonally adjusted)

April 2015 was 8.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2015 was 9.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2015 was 8.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2015 was 8.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2014 was 8.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2014 was 9.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2014 was 9.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2014 was 9.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2014 was 10.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2014 was 10.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2014 was 9.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2014 was 10.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2014 was 10.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2013 was 10.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2013 was 11.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2013 was 11.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2013 was 10.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2013 was 10.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2013 was 10.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2013 was 12.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2013 was 11.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2013 was 11.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2013 was 12.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2013 was 12.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2013 was 12.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2012 was 12.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2012 was 11.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 12.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 10.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 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%

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African American unemployment for both sexes, 16 to 19 years
May 2015 increased to 30.1% (Seasonally adjusted)

April 2015 was 27.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2015 was 25.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2015 was 30.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2015 was 29.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2014 was 33.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2014 was 28.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2014 was 32.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2014 was 30.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2014 was 32.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2014 was 34.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2014 was 33.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2014 was 31.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2014 was 38.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2013 was 35.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2013 was 35.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2013 was 36.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2013 was 35.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2013 was 38.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2013 was 41.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2013 was 43.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2013 was 42.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
Apil 2013 was 40.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2013 was 33.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2013 was 43.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2013 was 37.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2012 was 40.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2012 was 39.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 40.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 36.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 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%

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March 2015
White unemployment
White unemployment for May 2015 remained 4.7% (Seasonally adjusted)

White unemployment for April 2015 was 4.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for March 2015 was 4.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for February 2015 was 4.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for January 2015 was 4.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for December 2014 was 4.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for November 2014 was 4.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for October 2014 was 4.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for September 2014 was 5.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for August 2014 was 5.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for July 2014 was 5.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for June 2014 was 5.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for May 2014 was 5.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for January 2014 was 5.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for December 2013 was 5.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for November 2013 was 6.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for October 2013 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for September 2013 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for August 2013 was 6.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for July 2013 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for June 2013 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for May 2013 was 6.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for April 2013 was 6.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for March 2013 was 6.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for February 2013 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for January 2013 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for December 2012 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for November 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for October 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for September 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for August 2012 was 7.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for July 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for June 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for May 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for April 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for March 2012 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for February 2012 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for January 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for December 2011 was 7.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for November 2011 was 7.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for October 2011 was 8.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for September 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for August 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for July 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for June 2011 was 8.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for May 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for May 2010 was 8.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
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By Sex White unemployment for men 20 years and over
May 2015 decreased 4.2% (Seasonally adjusted)

April 2015 was 4.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2015 was 4.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2015 was 4.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2015 was 4.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2014 was 4.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2014 was 4.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2014 was 4.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2014 was 4.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2014 was 4.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2014 was 4.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2014 was 4.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2014 was 5.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2014 was 5.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2013 was 5.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2013 was 6.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2013 was 6.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2013 was 6.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2013 was 6.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2013 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2013 was 6.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2013 was 6.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2013 was 6.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2013 was 6.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2013 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2013 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2012 was 6.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2012 was 6.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was % (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%

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White unemployment for women unemployment 20 years and over
May 2015 increased 4.3% (Seasonally adjusted)

April 2015 was 4.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2015 was 4.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2015 was 4.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2015 was 4.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2014 was 4.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2014 was 4.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2014 was 4.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2014 was 4.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2014 was 4.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2014 was 4.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2014 was 4.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2014 was 4.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2014 was 5.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2013 was 5.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2013 was 5.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2013 was 5.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2013 was 5.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2013 was 5.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2013 was 5.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2013 was 6.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2013 was 5.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2013 was 5.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2013 was 6.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2013 was 6.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2013 was 6.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2012 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2012 was 6.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 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%

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White unemployment for both sexes, 16 to 19 years
May 2015 increased to 15.5% (Seasonally adjusted)

April 2015 was 14.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2015 was 15.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2015 was 15.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2015 was 16.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2014 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2014 was 15.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2014 was 16.34 (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2014 was 18.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2014 was 17.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2014 was 18.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2014 was 18.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2014 was 16.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2014 was 17.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2013 was 18.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2013 was 18.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2013 was 19.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2013 was 19.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2013 was 19.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2013 was 20.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2013 was 20.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2013 was 21.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2013 was 21.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2013 was 22.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2013 was 22.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2013 was 20.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2012 was 21.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2012 was 20.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 20.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 21.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 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) D
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%
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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.

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Historical Employment Data for African Americans
Click images to enlarge. Click your back arrow to return to Dilemma X

Data below come from U.S. federal reports released in 1968 and in 1974, for the year 1973.