Need a job? Move here: The cities adding the most jobs in every state
By several measures, the U.S. economy is in a precarious state, and warning signs of an impending recession loom. The U.S. Federal Reserve has taken a step aimed at boosting the economy earlier this year by cutting interest rates, with more cuts expected before the end of the year. Still, after years of economic growth, at least one area of the economy appears to remain strong: the labor market.
Over the last five years, employment has climbed by 7.3% in the United States. The net increase in jobs has resulted in a steady decline in unemployment, from 6.1% in June 2014 to 3.7% in June 2019, nearly the lowest it has been since the 1960s.
Job growth has not been even across the country, however, and some cities are adding jobs at a much faster rate than others. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed total employment changes from June 2014 to June 2019 in 381 metro areas to identify the cities adding the most jobs in every state.
In a written exchange with 24/7 Wall St., Martin Kohli, chief regional economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, explained that population growth can drive up overall employment. “Housing construction will generally be stronger in areas with above-average population growth,” Kohli said -- and many of the cities on this list have fast growing populations.
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1. Alabama: Daphne-Fairhope-Foley
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +16.6% (83,877 to 97,776)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +8.3% (2.0 million to 2.2 million)
• June unemployment: 2.9%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Goods producing, +24.7%
• Median household income: $55,342
2. Alaska: Anchorage
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: -2.6% (191,557 to 186,638)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: -3.4% (346,915 to 335,014)
• June unemployment: 5.7%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Education and health services, +10.0%
• Median household income: $76,871
3. Arizona: Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +20.7% (2.0 million to 2.4 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +17.2% (2.9 million to 3.4 million)
• June unemployment: 4.6%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Construction, +43.0%
• Median household income: $61,506
4. Arkansas: Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +18.3% (232,896 to 275,529)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +6.5% (1.3 million to 1.3 million)
• June unemployment: 2.6%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Other services, +39.7%
• Median household income: $56,038
5. California: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +11.9% (1.7 million to 2.0 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +6.9% (17.3 million to 18.5 million)
• June unemployment: 4.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +59.3%
• Median household income: $61,994
6. Colorado: Greeley
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +18.6% (138,810 to 164,567)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +15.4% (2.7 million to 3.1 million)
• June unemployment: 2.8%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Other services, +21.9%
• Median household income: $68,884
7. Connecticut: New Haven-Milford
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +4.7% (303,321 to 317,692)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +3.9% (1.8 million to 1.8 million)
• June unemployment: 3.8%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +22.7%
• Median household income: $66,863
8. Delaware: Dover
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +8.8% (69,750 to 75,914)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +10.7% (428,542 to 474,311)
• June unemployment: 4.2%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Professional and business services, +23.3%
• Median household income: $57,608
9. Florida: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +17.3% (1.1 million to 1.3 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +11.9% (9.0 million to 10.1 million)
• June unemployment: 3.2%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Construction, +56.8%
• Median household income: $55,089
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10. Georgia: Gainesville
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +20.2% (84,092 to 101,043)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +12.1% (4.4 million to 4.9 million)
• June unemployment: 3.1%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Private service providing, +24.0%
• Median household income: $61,977
11. Hawaii: Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +4.4% (78,712 to 82,177)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +0.9% (635,801 to 641,331)
• June unemployment: 3.1%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Education and health services, +43.5%
• Median household income: $80,183
12. Idaho: Boise City
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +20.7% (303,199 to 365,921)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +14.8% (753,656 to 865,357)
• June unemployment: 2.6%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Goods producing, +33.6%
• Median household income: $55,324
13. Illinois: Champaign-Urbana
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.3% (108,533 to 114,259)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +3.2% (6.1 million to 6.3 million)
• June unemployment: 3.8%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Leisure and hospitality, +18.7%
• Median household income: $50,999
14. Indiana: Elkhart-Goshen
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +15.4% (99,694 to 115,049)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +7.4% (3.1 million to 3.3 million)
• June unemployment: 3.0%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Goods producing, +21.9%
• Median household income: $58,960
15. Iowa: Des Moines-West Des Moines
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +10.8% (330,115 to 365,634)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +3.2% (1.6 million to 1.7 million)
• June unemployment: 2.6%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Leisure and hospitality, +26.6%
• Median household income: $68,649
16. Kansas: Wichita
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +1.9% (295,490 to 301,026)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +0.2% (1.4 million to 1.4 million)
• June unemployment: 3.6%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Non-durable goods, +15.6%
• Median household income: $54,432
17. Kentucky: Bowling Green
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +10.8% (74,006 to 82,011)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +4.9% (1.9 million to 2.0 million)
• June unemployment: 4.6%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Manufacturing, +26.0%
• Median household income: $46,478
18. Louisiana: Lake Charles
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +19.1% (92,613 to 110,277)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: -0.4% (2.0 million to 2.0 million)
• June unemployment: 4.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Construction, +68.2%
• Median household income: $52,314
19. Maine: Portland-South Portland
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.4% (196,099 to 206,658)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +2.0% (669,619 to 682,864)
• June unemployment: 2.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Other services, +20.0%
• Median household income: $68,570
20. Maryland: Salisbury
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +9.0% (176,264 to 192,099)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +6.2% (3.0 million to 3.1 million)
• June unemployment: 4.1%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Professional and business services, +20.2%
• Median household income: $59,273
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21. Massachusetts: Boston-Cambridge-Newton
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +11.3% (2.5 million to 2.8 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +10.6% (3.4 million to 3.8 million)
• June unemployment: 2.9%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Professional and business services, +13.2%
• Median household income: $85,691
22. Michigan: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +10.2% (1.9 million to 2.1 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +7.4% (4.5 million to 4.8 million)
• June unemployment: 4.5%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +23.7%
• Median household income: $58,411
23. Minnesota: Rochester
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +8.5% (113,836 to 123,501)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.5% (2.9 million to 3.0 million)
• June unemployment: 3.0%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Education and health services, +14.4%
• Median household income: $71,985
24. Mississippi: Hattiesburg
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +10.9% (59,888 to 66,435)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.3% (1.2 million to 1.2 million)
• June unemployment: 5.2%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Leisure and hospitality, +16.0%
• Median household income: $46,167
25. Missouri: Kansas City
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +7.3% (1.0 million to 1.1 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +4.1% (2.9 million to 3.0 million)
• June unemployment: 3.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +18.9%
• Median household income: $63,404
26. Montana: Missoula
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +9.9% (57,549 to 63,248)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.6% (495,377 to 523,202)
• June unemployment: 2.8%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Goods producing, +30.6%
• Median household income: $54,311
27. Nebraska: Omaha-Council Bluffs
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.7% (460,976 to 487,029)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +3.0% (986,938 to 1.0 million)
• June unemployment: 3.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Goods producing, +14.2%
• Median household income: $65,619
28. Nevada: Reno
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +24.8% (206,838 to 258,088)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +15.5% (1.3 million to 1.5 million)
• June unemployment: 3.4%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Manufacturing, +113.3%
• Median household income: $61,360
29. New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +8.8% (110,333 to 120,056)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.8% (719,467 to 760,910)
• June unemployment: 2.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Leisure and hospitality, +22.3%
• Median household income: $78,769
30. New Jersey: Trenton
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +7.6% (182,213 to 196,022)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +2.8% (4.2 million to 4.3 million)
• June unemployment: 2.7%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +137.3%
• Median household income: $79,173
31. New Mexico: Albuquerque
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +7.9% (389,053 to 419,861)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.9% (865,695 to 917,134)
• June unemployment: 5.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Education and health services, +15.0%
• Median household income: $50,906
32. New York: New York-Newark-Jersey City
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +3.1% (9.3 million to 9.6 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +2.2% (9.0 million to 9.2 million)
• June unemployment: 3.5%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Education and health services, +18.7%
• Median household income: $75,368
33. North Carolina: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +18.3% (1.1 million to 1.3 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +11.6% (4.4 million to 4.9 million)
• June unemployment: 4.1%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +31.7%
• Median household income: $61,156
34. North Dakota: Fargo
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +7.5% (125,402 to 134,746)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: -2.2% (410,809 to 401,655)
• June unemployment: 2.5%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Education and health services, +21.2%
• Median household income: $63,353
35. Ohio: Columbus
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +8.7% (978,665 to 1.1 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +3.9% (5.4 million to 5.6 million)
• June unemployment: 3.7%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Education and health services, +17.9%
• Median household income: $63,764
36. Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +7.4% (625,921 to 672,160)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +4.4% (1.7 million to 1.8 million)
• June unemployment: 3.2%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Other services, +23.4%
• Median household income: $56,260
37. Oregon: Bend-Redmond
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +22.7% (75,454 to 92,619)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +12.2% (1.8 million to 2.0 million)
• June unemployment: 3.9%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Goods producing, +51.1%
• Median household income: $66,273
38. Pennsylvania: Lancaster
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +6.7% (261,887 to 279,471)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +3.2% (6.1 million to 6.3 million)
• June unemployment: 3.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +43.6%
• Median household income: $63,407
39. Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.2% (636,846 to 669,987)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +4.0% (518,184 to 538,855)
• June unemployment: 3.4%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +33.8%
• Median household income: $65,226
40. South Carolina: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +16.6% (179,331 to 209,085)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +10.7% (2.1 million to 2.3 million)
• June unemployment: 4.2%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Professional and business services, +42.4%
• Median household income: $48,727
41. South Dakota: Sioux Falls
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +12.2% (137,763 to 154,631)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +5.1% (438,735 to 461,280)
• June unemployment: 2.4%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Education and health services, +15.9%
• Median household income: $64,882
42. Tennessee: Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +21.9% (868,553 to 1.1 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +14.5% (2.8 million to 3.3 million)
• June unemployment: 3.2%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +42.1%
• Median household income: $63,939
43. Texas: Austin-Round Rock
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +17.8% (1.0 million to 1.2 million)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +9.5% (12.4 million to 13.5 million)
• June unemployment: 2.7%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Transportation, warehousing, and utilities, +44.2%
• Median household income: $73,800
44. Utah: St. George
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +26.2% (58,799 to 74,220)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +13.1% (1.4 million to 1.6 million)
• June unemployment: 3.6%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Goods producing, +48.1%
• Median household income: $54,842
45. Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +4.8% (121,982 to 127,793)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +2.3% (337,383 to 345,169)
• June unemployment: 1.9%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Leisure and hospitality, +17.3%
• Median household income: $63,160
46. Virginia: Winchester
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +10.6% (65,863 to 72,872)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +6.5% (4.1 million to 4.3 million)
• June unemployment: 2.8%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Private service providing, +11.5%
• Median household income: $65,334
47. Washington: Olympia-Tumwater
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +17.8% (113,353 to 133,477)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +13.1% (3.3 million to 3.7 million)
• June unemployment: 5.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Information, +88.9%
• Median household income: $71,765
48. West Virginia: Morgantown
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +6.4% (60,457 to 64,319)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +2.8% (747,653 to 768,676)
• June unemployment: 4.3%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Professional and business services, +24.6%
• Median household income: $49,475
49. Wisconsin: Janesville-Beloit
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: +6.9% (77,839 to 83,212)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: +3.5% (2.9 million to 3.0 million)
• June unemployment: 3.9%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Wholesale trade, +26.7%
• Median household income: $55,304
50. Wyoming: Cheyenne
• Employment chg. 2014-2019: -1.5% (46,570 to 45,863)
• State employment chg. 2014-2019: -5.7% (298,537 to 281,669)
• June unemployment: 3.7%
• Industry with largest employment increase: Professional and business services, +11.4%
• Median household income: $61,961
Methodology
To identify the American cities adding the most jobs, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage change in total employment over the five years from June 2014 to June 2019 in U.S. metro areas. Employment (the number of people employed), the total size of the labor force (those working and looking for work), and the number of unemployed workers are all from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate is also from the BLS and is as of June 2019. Employment by industry at the super sector level is also from the BLS, and five-year changes were calculated from June 2014 to June 2019. Median household income and poverty rates are for 2017 and came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont each only have one metro area, and as a result, the metro area listed for each of these states is adding the most jobs by default.
24/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.