Worst Unemployment in the Nation, but by Golly, It’s Improving—Barely

The Silver State—grand, shimmering Nevada—is wearin’ a crown of tarnished tin, not gold, for she’s got herself the worst unemployment rate in all these United States. The number stands at 5.7 percent, accordin’ to some solemn scribblers over at DETR–that’s the Department of Employment, Training, and Reassurance, I reckon.

But before you go celebratin’–it’s a whole tenth of a percent lower than last month. That’s right—so slight you’d need a microscope and a prayer to see it.

Now, Nevada ain’t entirely alone in this plight. It got outpaced by the District of Columbia—our nation’s capital and a mighty fine place to misplace a dollar or two—where the unemployment rate is 5.6 percent.

So, at least Nevada can point east and say, “We may be broke, but at least we ain’t politicians!”

Reno, that jewel of the desert with more casinos than sense, came in at 4.7 percent. Carson City, ever the steady hand, is sittin’ at 4.5 percent, perhaps from all the legislative loafers finally countin’ for something. Elko County, bless its rural little heart, has the lowest number at 4.3 percent—proof that when there’re fewer folks to count, you can’t count many as unemployed.

But saddle up and ride down to Mineral County if you want a tale of woe–9.6 percent unemployment. That’s nearly one in ten folks kickin’ dust and cursin’ the sky. I don’t know what kind of minerals they’re diggin’ for there, but it sure ain’t jobs.

And then there’s Las Vegas, our city of sin and sequins, clockin’ in at 5.6 percent, where folks can lose their shirts in the casino or the job market—dealer’s choice.

So there you have it. Nevada’s got the worst jobless rate in the land, but don’t fret too hard—we’re inchin’ in the right direction.

Just don’t blink, or you might miss the progress.