New Jersey Unemployment
According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for New Jersey fell 2.6 percentage points in December 2020 to 7.6%. The state unemployment rate was 0.9 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in New Jersey peaked in June 2020 at 16.8% and is now 9.2 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 6.7% in September 2020, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.9 percentage points. You can also see New Jersey unemployment compared to other states.
| Unemployment Rate | December 2020 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 6.7% | 0.0 | +3.1 |
| New Jersey | 7.6% | -2.6 | +3.9 |
Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.
Unemployment Rate: New Jersey, National
Note: Recessions shown in gray
New Jersey Unemployed
The number of people unemployed in New Jersey peaked in June 2020 at 766,172. There are now 426,507 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 289,756 in September 2020, the number of unemployed has now grown by 49,909. New Jersey job growth data is also available.
| Unemployed Persons | December 2020 | Month/Month | Year/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 339,665 | -123,228 | +171,961 |
Number of Unemployed Persons
New Jersey Unemployment History
| Date | National Unemployment Rate |
New Jersey Unemployment Rate |
New Jersey Unemployed |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2021 | 6.3% | — | — |
| December 2020 | 6.7% | 7.6% | 339,665 |
| November 2020 | 6.7% | 10.2% | 462,893 |
| October 2020 | 6.9% | 8.0% | 350,494 |
| September 2020 | 7.8% | 6.7% | 289,756 |
| August 2020 | 8.4% | 11.1% | 509,969 |
| July 2020 | 10.2% | 14.2% | 651,366 |
| June 2020 | 11.1% | 16.8% | 766,172 |
| May 2020 | 13.3% | 15.4% | 695,717 |
| April 2020 | 14.8% | 16.3% | 731,905 |
| March 2020 | 4.4% | 3.7% | 168,368 |
| February 2020 | 3.5% | 3.8% | 173,873 |
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
