The states with the lowest and highest unemployment rates
Yet not all states are created equal when it comes to economic recovery. Some states weathered the recession better than others. And while most states have seen a decline in unemployment post-recession, others have dealt with fluctuating jobless rates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' recent breakdown of regional and state unemployment numbers for December, the most recent figures available, "Twenty-four states reported jobless rates significantly lower than the U.S. figure of 8.5 percent, eight states and the District of Columbia had measurably higher rates, and 18 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation."
In taking a closer look at which states are on the road to recovery and which ones are still hitting speed bumps, we first reviewed each state's unemployment rate as of December. We also examined trends in joblessness -- whether it's been on the decline and the rate at which it's declining -- and other factors such as foreclosures and household income. Here's a look at some of the best and worst states for job seekers.
Best state unemployment rates:
1. North Dakota
Why: During the recession, North Dakota's unemployment rate peaked at 4.3 percent in 2009, a rate that was still significantly lower than the national average. The rate hasn't gone above 4 percent since April 2010.
Unemployment rate: 3.3 percent
2. Nebraska
Why: Nebraska was the state with the second-lowest unemployment rate in December, at 4.1 percent. It also experienced statistically significant employment changes from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 13,100.
Unemployment rate: 4.1 percent
3. South Dakota
Why: South Dakota had one of the lowest pre-recession unemployment rates in the country -- just 2.8 percent in December 2007. Its current jobless rate is still well under the national average. In addition, it saw a statistically significant employment change from November to December 2011, with a job gain of 4,600.
Unemployment rate: 4.2 percent
4. New Hampshire
Why: New Hampshire's unemployment rate is 3.4 percentage points lower than the national average. What's more, according to statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau, New Hampshire has the highest median household income in the U.S., at $66,303**.
Unemployment rate: 5.1 percent
5. Vermont
Why: Vermont's December unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, and it has experienced a statistically significant year-over-year unemployment rate decrease of 0.7 percent. It also ranks in the top 15 in median household income, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Unemployment rate: 5.1 percent
6. Iowa
Why: Iowa's unemployment rate of 5.6 percent is at its lowest level since June 2009. According to the state, Iowa has added 13,300 total jobs compared with a year ago.
Unemployment rate: 5.6 percent
7. Minnesota
Why: This Midwest state has experienced a statistically significant year-over-year employment change from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 26,300. Its current unemployment rate is the lowest it's been since September 2008.
Unemployment rate: 5.7 percent
8. Wyoming
Why: After the unemployment rate peaked at 7.7 percent in late 2009, the rate has continued to trend downward and is currently 2.7 percentage points lower than the national average. Additionally, Wyoming has the lowest unemployment rate in the Western region.
Unemployment rate: 5.8 percent
9. Utah
Why: Utah saw a statistically significant employment change from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 36,000.
Unemployment rate: 6 percent
10. Oklahoma
Why: Although Oklahoma's unemployment rate has hovered at 6.1 percent since October 2011, it did have a statistically significant employment change year-over-year from December 2010 to December 2011, with a job gain of 41,600.
Unemployment rate: 6.1 percent
Worst state unemployment rates
1. Nevada
Why: Nevada has the worst unemployment rate in the country, at 12.6 percent. It also saw a statistically significant employment loss of 9,800 jobs from November to December 2011. To rub salt in the wound, Nevada topped RealtyTrac's list of state foreclosure rates in 2010.
Unemployment rate: 12.6 percent
2. California
Why: While California's unemployment rate did decrease by 0.2 percentage points from November to December 2011, its rate of 11.1 percent is still 2.6 points higher than the national rate. According to RealtyTrac, California's December foreclosure rate was one of the highest in the nation.
Unemployment rate: 11.1 percent
3. Rhode Island
Why: Rhode Island has the worst unemployment rate in New England. It's also one of the three states where unemployment increased in December.
Unemployment rate: 10.8 percent
4. Mississippi
Why: According to the Census Bureau, Mississippi has the lowest median household income, at $36,850. Its unemployment rate also experienced an increase from a year prior.
Unemployment rate: 10.4 percent
5. District of Columbia
Why: While the District of Columbia isn't a state, it's still worth including on the list given its high unemployment rate, which increased from a year earlier, going from 9.6 percent in December 2010 to 10.4 percent in December 2011.
Unemployment rate: 10.4 percent
6. North Carolina
Why: North Carolina has the highest unemployment rate in the South Atlantic region, excluding the District of Columbia. Its December unemployment rate of 9.9 percent is 1.4 percentage points above the U.S. average.
Unemployment rate: 9.9 percent
7. Florida
Why: While Florida's unemployment rate is on the decline, it's still the seventh-highest in the country. Plus, it had one of the highest 2010 foreclosure rates, according to RealtyTrac.
Unemployment rate: 9.9 percent
8. Illinois
Why: According to Business Insider, Illinois is one of the top 10 states with the most foreclosures in 2010, with 151,304 last year.
Unemployment rate: 9.8 percent
9. Georgia
Why: While the state's unemployment rate was down in December for the third consecutive month, the state labor department disclosed that metro Atlanta's unemployment rate rose to 9.4 percent from 9.2 percent in November. Georgia also experienced the third-largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment of 0.4 percent.
Unemployment rate: 9.7 percent
10. South Carolina
Why: South Carolina's median household income of $42,059 is the seventh-lowest in the nation, according to the Census Bureau. Its unemployment rate hasn't been below 9 percent in three years.
Unemployment rate: 9.5 percent