What this measures: The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking work, by state of residence, seasonally adjusted. South Dakota (2.3%), Hawaii (2.4%), and North Dakota (2.5%) have the tightest labor markets. DC (6.3%), Delaware (5.4%), and California (5.3%) have the highest jobless rates. The national rate of 4.4% is 0.2 points higher than a year earlier — 13 states and DC saw rate increases over the year, while only Ohio and Indiana saw meaningful decreases.