Western U.S. Has Nation’s Highest Regional Unemployment

California’s rate highest in modern history; Sacramento has 11.1 percent

The Western region of the United States suffers from the highest regional unemployment rate in the nation according to information from the Labor Department.

According to information released today, the regional unemployment rate topped 10 percent last month. The last time regional unemployment was above 10 percent was in September, 1983.

Leading the western states in unemployment were California and Nevada where rates topped 11.5 and 11.3 percent respectively. Both states have been hard hit by the housing bust.

California’s unemployment rate is the highest in over three decades of modern record keeping. In May 69,000 jobs statewide were lost.

Locally, Sacramento County has a 11.1 percent unemployment rate.

Unemployment rates are thought to be higher as the official rates do not include people who have received unemployment benefits beyond the initial six month period. Those recipients get benefits from the federal government and are not included in the count.