Job seekers with no ties to any particular location often seek jobs in big cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles or San Francisco. But are these the places where they're most likely to find a job?
Not according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job seekers are better off looking in such cities as Sioux Falls, S.D., Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Rapid City, S.D. All of these cities registered some of the lowest unemployment rates in September 2008.
30 Best Markets to Find a Job
1. Bismarck, N.D.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.5
2. Casper, Wyo.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.5
3. Logan, Utah
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.5
4. Sioux Falls, S.D.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.5
5. Morgantown, W. Va.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.6
6. Ames, Iowa
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.7
7. Fargo, N.D.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.8
8. Iowa City, Iowa
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.8
9. Rapid City, S.D.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 2.9
10. Lincoln, Neb.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.0
11. Provo-Orem, Utah
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.0
12. Billings, Mont.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.1
13. Charleston, W. Va.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.2
14. Midland, Texas
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.2
15. Salt Lake City, Utah
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.2
16. Idaho Falls, Idaho
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.3
17. Lafayette, La.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.3
18. Santa Fe, N.M.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.3
19. Charlottesville, Va.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.4
20. Farmington, N.M.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.4
21. Grand Forks, N.D.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.4
22. Lawton, Okla.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.4
23. Madison, Wisc.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.4
24. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.-Mo.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.5
25. Harrisonburg, Va.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.5
26. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.5
27. Oklahoma City, Okla.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.5
28. Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.5
29. Portsmouth, N.H.
September 2008 Unemployment Rate: 3.5
30. Sioux City, Iowa
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Then, in today's Gazette the headline reads:
W.Va. ahead $75 million; state bucks U.S. trend.... All but 11 states face budget deficits
The article goes-on to explain how well WV is doing compared to other states in this dismal economy.
BUT LETS KEEP THIS IN PERSPECTIVE AND FORGET THE "SPIN".
The REASON WV is relatively unaffected is due to the exact same thing that happened back in the stock market crash of 1929:
Ask MOST people who lived in WV in 29: "How did the crash affect you?" And they'll say: "We really didnt notice much of a difference. We had food and we got along OK".
See, everyone knows that when the economy is going gangbusters, it's never apparent here in WV because nothing changes. When the economy TANKS, it's hardly even a blip on our Radar screen. We simply limp along no matter WHAT the economy beyond our borders.
As far as the best place to look for work:
First, notice that the cities held up as "the place to be" are cities that MOST people wouldnt move to unless they're really desperate! Bismarck, N.D.?
Are you serious?? And so they place WV in that same group of cities of course. Makes sense no?Morgantown is a very small city. It has the states University and huge hospital. How could it NOT be in relatively good shape?
Charleston on the other hand has three things: Many hospitals that provide work for thousands, a seat of government that is the states largest employer, and the ancillary businesses that support them. (Lawyers, doctors, utility companies etc).
For MSN to use unemployment statistics as the yardstick of prosperity is just plain disingenuous at best and just plain STUPID at worst. I mean, if the Press and government are going to use THAT measure for prosperity, why not use for instance.... Winfield WV? I'm sure Winfield has very low unemployment, because they have no JOBS there to speak of and hence... low unemployment!
The spin that the Press puts out there is criminal. I can just imagine people from all over the country reading these reports and flocking here saying "WHERE'S THE BEEF?". Well... unless you're a doctor or lawyer or school administrator... there IS no beef! We'll just plod along as we always have, never knowing REAL prosperity, but never knowing REAL poverty either. We ARE resigned to our fate, and it's been that way here for 200 years. To some... it's not a bad place to be.
