Report: Seattle Leads Nation In Unemployment Growth

SEATTLE — Seattle recorded the largest increase in jobless claims between March 2019 and March 2020, and the third-highest rate of claims filed between January and March of this year, according to a new report.

WalletHub found Seattle's unemployment increased by nearly 87% year-over-year and grew nearly 106% between January and March. The report does not account for new unemployment claims filed in April when eligibility for benefits expanded to include a much larger pool of workers.

According to an update from the U.S. Department of Labor last week, more than 26.5 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March, hitting levels not seen since the Great Depression.

In Washington, the state Employment Security Department expected claims to surpass the 1 million mark this week. Updated numbers on jobless claims will be released Thursday morning.

State officials expect the latest numbers to outpace prior weeks after changes to the unemployment system, implemented April 19, allowed for self-employed people, contractors and gig workers to qualify for benefits.

Cities with the biggest growth in unemployment during coronavirus (from WalletHub):

1. Seattle
2. Hialeah, Florida
3. North Las Vegas, Nevada
4. Miami
5. Henderson, Nevada

State and federal officials will release data for the week ending April 25 on Thursday.