Gen Z workers across the U.S. are facing different job market realities depending on where they live. While some parts of the country offer stronger employment opportunities, others have much higher rates of job-seekers. Young professionals facing tough job markets may need to explore job opportunities beyond their local area to find roles that align with their skills and career aspirations.
To find out where young workers are struggling the most, the team here at Employers.io analyzed census data from the American Community Survey to determine the percentage of unemployed people under 30 in every state and the 100 largest U.S. cities. We also compared today’s job market to 2011, a time when young workers were navigating the aftermath of the Great Recession.
Below, we break down the states and cities with the highest and lowest under-30 unemployment rates, explore how the job market has changed over time, and highlight the areas where Gen Z workers are finding the most opportunities.
Which Places Have the Most Unemployed Gen Zs in the U.S.?
On a national level, 7.4% of Gen Z workers are unemployed, but this number varies significantly by location. Below, we analyze the states and cities where Gen Z unemployment is highest and where young workers are finding the most job stability.
States With the Most & Fewest Unemployed Gen Zs
First, we looked at state-level data to see which areas have the highest and lowest unemployment rates for workers aged 16-29.
Mississippi Has the Highest Percent of Unemployed Gen Zs
- Mississippi – 9.5%
- California – 9.4%
- Louisiana – 9.2%
- New Jersey – 8.8%
- New York – 8.7%
The states with the highest Gen Z unemployment include a mix of regions, but several share common challenges. Southern states like Mississippi and Louisiana have historically struggled with higher poverty rates and limited job opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Meanwhile, California and New York, two of the largest economies in the country, have competitive job markets where young professionals may face barriers to entry, such as high living costs and an abundance of experienced workers.
North Dakota Has the Highest Percent of Employed Gen Zs
- North Dakota – 95.7%
- Iowa – 95.2%
- Montana – 95.2%
- Wisconsin – 95.1%
- New Hampshire – 94.9%
The states with the lowest Gen Z unemployment rates tend to have smaller populations, meaning likely less competitive job markets and strong local industries that better support young professionals. Gen Zs in Midwestern states, like North Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin may benefit from opportunities in thriving sectors like agriculture, energy, and healthcare. In New England, New Hampshire’s low unemployment rate reflects its relatively high economic stability and job availability.
Cities With the Most & Fewest Unemployed Gen Zs
On a city level, Gen Z unemployment varies even more, with some urban areas seeing much higher rates than others.
Bakersfield, CA has the Highest Percent of Unemployed Gen Zs
- Bakersfield, CA – 12.6%
- Memphis, TN – 12.3%
- Fresno, CA – 12.1%
- Sacramento, CA – 10.3%
- Poughkeepsie, NY – 10.2%
Several California cities top the list, with Bakersfield, Fresno, and Sacramento showing higher-than-average unemployment rates for Gen Z workers. These areas often face economic disparities, with high living costs and fewer high-paying job opportunities outside of certain industries. Memphis, a city with a rich cultural history, struggles with job availability for young workers, while Poughkeepsie, a smaller city in New York’s Hudson Valley, may see fewer entry-level opportunities compared to larger metro areas nearby.
Ogden, UT has the Highest Percent of Employed Gen Zs
- Ogden, UT – 96%
- Madison, WI – 95.8%
- Lakeland, FL – 95.6%
- Nashville, TN – 95.6%
- Knoxville, TN – 95.3%
Cities with the highest Gen Z employment rates have strong job markets and growing industries that attract young professionals. Ogden benefits from Utah’s booming tech sector, while Madison, a well-known college town, has a steadier flow of job opportunities in education and healthcare. Lakeland, Nashville, and Knoxville offer a mix of tourism, healthcare, and corporate job opportunities that provide employment stability for younger workers.
What This Means for Gen Z Workers
Gen Z job seekers in different parts of the U.S. are experiencing varied employment landscapes. Young professionals facing tough job markets may need to explore job opportunities beyond their local area to find roles that better align with their skills and career aspirations. On the other hand, locations with low unemployment suggest stronger job markets that could help Gen Z workers launch their careers more quickly.
Next, we’ll compare today’s Gen Z unemployment rates to those from 2011, three years after the Great Recession, to see how economic recovery has shaped job opportunities over time.
Comparing Under-30 Unemployment Over the Years
The job market has changed significantly in the past decade, especially for younger workers. In 2011, three years after the 2008 financial crisis, unemployment for those under 30 was still high across much of the country. Fast forward to 2023, three years after the onset of COVID-19, and while challenges remain, Gen Z workers are navigating a much different employment landscape.
On a national level, under-30 unemployment dropped from 16.5% in 2011 to 7.4% in 2023, a 9.1 percentage point decrease. That means young workers in 2011 were more than twice as likely to be unemployed as their 2023 counterparts. While some of this change reflects broader economic recovery, it also points to shifting workforce trends, technological advancements, and changing job opportunities.
Comparing Post-Recession Unemployment Rates Across the U.S.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how unemployment has changed at the state level. These are the states that experienced the largest difference in under-30 unemployment rates from 2011 to 2023:
Mississippi
- 2011 rate: 22.4%
- 2023 rate: 9.5%
- Difference: 13%
Georgia
- 2011 rate: 20.4%
- 2023 rate: 7.6%
- Difference: 12.8%
North Carolina
- 2011 rate: 19.8%
- 2023 rate: 7.4%
- Difference: 12.4%
The states with the biggest drops in under-30 unemployment share a few key factors. Many, like Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama, struggled with high unemployment in 2011 due to the lingering effects of the 2008 recession, limited economic diversification, and fewer job opportunities in urban centers. Over the next decade, these states saw economic improvements across industries, resulting in increased job availability for young people. In 2023, their under-30 unemployment rates were within a percentage point of the national average, much closer than in 2011.
Now, let’s zoom in a little closer and look at the cities with the largest differences in under-30 unemployment rates from 2011 to 2023.
Stockton, CA
- 2011 rate: 28.5%
- 2023 rate: 10.1%
- Difference: 18.4%
Daytona Beach, FL
- 2011 rate: 23.4%
- 2023 rate: 6.2%
- Difference: 17.2%
Boise, ID
- 2011 rate: 20.7%
- 2023 rate: 5.6%
- Difference: 15.1%
Stockton and Riverside, the two cities with the highest under-30 unemployment rates in our study in 2011, saw declines in youth unemployment. This was in part due to broader economic recoveries in California and the rise of remote work, which allowed younger professionals to access more opportunities outside of traditional urban job markets. Both cities, however, still have unemployment rates for young workers that are several percentage points higher than the national average.
Meanwhile, Daytona Beach and Boise have grown into emerging business hubs. Boise has benefited from a tech boom that has attracted young professionals to the area, while Daytona Beach has seen much of its job growth in hospitality and healthcare. New Haven, home to Yale University, has likely experienced a decline in youth unemployment due, in part, to the region’s growing startup scene. All three of these cities rebounded from some of the highest under-20 unemployment rates in the country in 2011 to all three being below the national average in 2023.
What This Means for Young Job Seekers
The job market for young workers has improved significantly since 2011, but opportunities vary depending on location. States and cities that struggled with high youth unemployment a decade ago have seen improvements, often due to economic diversification and emerging industries.
However, challenges remain, and many young professionals still face barriers to employment, whether due to industry shifts, location-based job availability, or competition in high-cost metro areas. As the job market evolves, employers looking to attract a younger workforce can adjust their hiring strategies to better align with the skills and expectations of Gen Z workers.
“For Gen Z, adaptability is key, whether that means relocating, upskilling, or tapping into remote work opportunities that weren’t as available to previous generations,” says Gregory Rouvelin, Digital Marketing Director at Employers.io. “With layoffs dominating headlines and a slowing job market, the most successful young professionals will be those who stay agile, leverage digital networking, and align their skills with emerging job trends, rather than waiting for their perfect role."
What Does Under-30 Unemployment Look Like in Your Area?
Curious about how your state or city compares when it comes to under-30 unemployment?
We’ve compiled our analysis into the table above so you can see how employment rates for young workers have changed in your area over time. Search for your state or city directly, sort by each column, or explore the full data set below to see how unemployment rates in 2023 compare to 2017 and 2011.
Closing Thoughts
The job market for Gen Z workers post-Pandemic looks vastly different than Millennials experienced after the Great Recession. While under-30 unemployment has dropped significantly since 2011, opportunities still vary by location. Some cities and states have seen stark improvements, while others continue to present challenges for Gen Z workers looking to start their careers.
For job seekers, knowing where opportunities are growing can make all the difference. And for employers, understanding these trends can help them better connect with the next generation of workers. As industries shift and hiring needs evolve, finding the right match between job seekers and employers remains key to building a strong workforce.
Methodology
To determine the areas with the most unemployed Gen Zs, we analyzed the most recent employment data by age groups from the U.S. Census. All data points in the analysis are based on the civilian labor force in each geographic region we studied.
We then carried out the same analysis for the years 2017 and 2011. Since 2011 is three years after the 2008 recession, we thought a comparison between then and 2023 was appropriate since that was three years after the onset and economic impact of COVID-19.