Even in the Midwest, where unemployment remains lowest, the news is getting slowly grimmer. Most states lost jobs or remained roughly stable in August compared to July, retaining frustratingly high unemployment rates. Some states did worse than others.
There a lot more to the unemployment rate than simply a number hovering around 10%. Did you know there are actually six unemployment rates, each with a different meaning?
You see unemployment at 9.5% but do you know what that number means? Is it 9.5% of the total population of the United States, 9.5% of those over the age of 18, or some other scenario that determines the unemployment rate.
Despite being a bulwark against job losses, the Midwest is starting to show signs of increased unemployment. Whatever light might be at the end of the tunnel, July jobless rates show that the job market has been getting worse across the United States. States like Michigan and Nevada are suffering more than ever. And the recession-resistant states are slowly seeing higher rates of unemployment, too.
With unemployment rising to 5.5%, more Americans are finding themselves with more time to catch up on their daytime TV or put in some serious time on World of Warcraft. Others see unemployment as an opportunity to begin a new career, take a mini retirement, invest in yourself, or find other sources of income.