Unemployment rate in Maine
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Why This Indicator Matters
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "When workers are unemployed, they, their families, and the country as a whole lose. Workers and their families lose wages, and the country loses the goods or services that could have been produced. In addition, the purchasing power of these workers is lost, which can lead to unemployment for yet other workers."
Why it is important:
Work is often the route to financial independence for families in poverty. Even though a minimum wage job is not enough to lift a family out of poverty, in most circumstances, families have more income if they work than if they do not.
What the data shows this year:
In Maine, the unemployment rate fell from 8.1 in 2009 and 2010 to 3.0 in 2019.
The annual unemployment rate of 2019 was below the national average of 3.7%.
National Annual Average Unemployment Rate
Five counties in Maine including Sagadahoc, York, Cumberland, Kennebec and Knox Counties had unemployment rates in 2019 below 3%. By contrast, Aroostook, Somerset and Washington Counties had rates of 4.5% to 4.6% in 2019.
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Why it is important:
Work is often the route to financial independence for families in poverty. Even though a minimum wage job is not enough to lift a family out of poverty, in most circumstances, families have more income if they work than if they do not.
What the data shows this year:
In Maine, the unemployment rate fell from 8.1 in 2009 and 2010 to 3.0 in 2019.
The annual unemployment rate of 2019 was below the national average of 3.7%.
National Annual Average Unemployment Rate
Five counties in Maine including Sagadahoc, York, Cumberland, Kennebec and Knox Counties had unemployment rates in 2019 below 3%. By contrast, Aroostook, Somerset and Washington Counties had rates of 4.5% to 4.6% in 2019.
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Data Provided By
Definitions: Unemployment is the estimated annual monthly average number and percent of people in the civilian labor force who are unemployed and looking for work. The numerator is the average number of people unemployed and looking for work and the denominator is the average number of people in the civilian labor force who are either working or looking for work.
Data Source:
Maine Department of Labor Annual Average
Unemployment Annual County Average
Accessed 3/23/2020
Footnotes:
In 2020, prior years 2017& 2018 were adjusted to reflect minor revisions made by the Department of Labor.
Updated March 2020