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District of Columbia Unemployment Rate
5.6% in Sep 2026, the highest of 51 states and DC.
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%
- Sep 2026
- Change in a year
- -1.0 pts
- U.S. rate
- 4.2%
- Labor force
- 402,894
Unemployment rate in District of Columbia
Monthly, seasonally adjusted, compared with the U.S.
Show as a table
| Period | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 5.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 6.7% |
| Dec 2024 | 5.6% |
| Dec 2023 | 5.1% |
| Dec 2022 | 4.7% |
| Dec 2021 | 6.1% |
| Dec 2020 | 7.8% |
| Dec 2019 | 5.4% |
| Dec 2018 | 5.9% |
| Dec 2017 | 5.9% |
| Dec 2016 | 6.3% |
| Dec 2015 | 6.5% |
| Dec 2014 | 7.4% |
| Dec 2013 | 8.0% |
| Dec 2012 | 8.6% |
Counties in District of Columbia
Largest labor force first, not seasonally adjusted
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| County | Rate | 1-year change | Labor force |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 5.3% | -1.5 pts | 401,751 |
Metro areas in District of Columbia
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| Metro area | Rate | 1-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 3.8% | -0.4 pts |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the unemployment rate in District of Columbia?
- District of Columbia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6% in Sep 2026, compared with 4.2% for the U.S.
- Which District of Columbia county has the highest unemployment?
- District of Columbia had the highest rate at 5.3% in Sep 2026 (not seasonally adjusted).