Georgia, with a 7.2 percent unemployment rate, lost its dubious distinction last month as the state with the nation’s highest jobless rate. That questionable honor now belongs to Mississippi coming in with a 7.3 percent rate, according to statistics released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Georgia shares the second-worst spot with California, also notching a 7.2 percent rate.

It could be worse: the District of Columbia, with a 7.4 percent rate, takes the overall top spot nationwide, the BLS says.

Georgia led the nation with the worst unemployment rate from August to October.

Keep Reading

Older model used vehicles for sale at an independent dealership in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Nov. 11, 2023. Photo courtesy of Chris Hardesty.

Credit: Special

Featured

University of Georgia students are seen entering and leaving the main Library on the Athens campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez