Looking for Work? Try University Towns and State Capitals

The recession is hitting everywhere but not everywhere equally. CNN Money notes 13 cities post unemployment above 15%.

There were 13 unlucky cities with unemployment rates topping 15% in April, and another 93 saw joblessness climb above 10%, according to a government report released Wednesday.

Nine of the baker's dozen are in California, a state ravaged by the housing meltdown and an unparalleled state budget crisis.

Elkhart-Goshen, Ind., posted the biggest year-over-year increase in April -- 12.7 percentage points.

El Centro, Calif., continued to have the highest rate of any metropolitan area at 26.9%. The town is located near the Mexican border and relies on agricultural employment, according to economists. As a result, the area's jobless rate tends to rise and fall depending on the farming season.

For areas with 1 million or more residents, Detroit was the worst hit, posting a rate of 13.6%. Portland, Ore., showed the largest increase, jumping to 11.6% from 4.7% in April 2008.

Government Jobs The Key

Inquiring minds are comparing the above stats to places where Government jobs shield workers from the recession.

An AP analysis of economic data from around the country shows that economic pain in a county decreases as the percentage of government workers in its work force rises.

Leon County, Fla. — Home to the state capital, Tallahassee. Population 264,000. Percentage of government workers 20. 6.2 percent March unemployment and an AP Stress Index Score of 7.26 (4th lowest in Florida).

Champaign County, Illinois — Location of the University of Illinois. Population 193,600. Percentage of government workers 18.5. 7.1 percent unemployment in March and an AP Stress Index Score of 7.87 (ninth lowest in Illinois).

Johnson County, Iowa — Location of the University of Iowa. Population 128,000. Percentage of government workers 25.6. 3.6 percent March unemployment and an AP Stress Index Score of 3.89 (lowest in Iowa).

Riley County, Kansas — Home to U.S. Army's Fort Riley and Kansas State University. Population: 71,000. Percentage of government workers 17.4. 3.4 percent March unemployment and an AP Stress Index Score of 3.71 (12th lowest in Kansas).

Washtenaw County, Mich. — Home to the University of Michigan. Population 347,000. Percentage of government workers 19.1. 7.4 percent March unemployment and an AP Stress Index Score of 9.25 (second lowest in Michigan).

Los Alamos County, N.M. — Los Alamos National Laboratory location. Population 18,000. Percentage of government workers 30.7. 2.9 percent March unemployment and an AP Stress Index Score of 3.28 (second lowest in New Mexico).

Albany County, N.Y. — Has both the state capital in Albany and a State University of New York campus. Population 298,000. Percentage of government workers 22.6. 7 percent March unemployment and an AP Stress Index Score of 8.4 (seventh lowest in New York).

Orange County, N.C. — University of North Carolina located here. Population 126,000. Percentage of government workers 26.2. 6.5 percent March unemployment and an AP Stress Index Score of 7.13 (lowest in North Carolina).

Dane County, Wisc. — Both University of Wisconsin and the state capital, Madison, are here. Population 482,000. Percentage of government workers 16.3. 5.5 percent unemployment in March and an AP Stress Index Score of 6.34 (lowest in Wisconsin).

Albany County, Wyo. — Location of the University of Wyoming. Population: 32,700. Percentage of government workers 21.9. 2.9 percent March unemployment and an AP Stress Index Score of 3.05 (second lowest in Wyoming).

If you are looking for work, get the hell out of Detroit, Portland, and many California cities and move to places like Johnson County, Iowa; Albany County, Wyoming; Riley County, Kansas; and Los Alamos County, New Mexico, all with unemployment rates under 4%.

If you want a larger metropolitan area try Dane County, Wisconsin with 5.5% unemployment. Madison is a great city and there is plenty of outdoor recreation in Wisconsin. The caveat in this analysis is that many states are going to start cutting workers if California is any indication.

Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
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