What was the unemployment rate when Obama took office and Bush left office? (Updated for August 2016)

What was the unemployment rate when Bush left office and Obama was inaugurated?  7.8%

Note:  This report was not updated for September due to personal reasons.  But the October updates will be released starting this weekend, November 4. 

What was unemployment when Obama took office?  How many people were unemployed?  Read below

What was the unemployment rate after Obama's first full month in office (February 2009)?  8.3%

What was the unemployment rate at peak?  10.0%

What is today's (August 2016's) unemployment rate?   4.9%  

All Latest Jobs and Unemployment Reports HERE

How many people were looking for work when Obama was inaugurated; how many were working?  And how many people are looking for work and how many are employed now?

• Read below the graph.

• 
  The following chart shows the unemployment rate in three month intervals plus month-by-month for the latest months:

 

What Was the Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office?

The Unemployment Rate When Obama took office as of August 2016:

Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office (August 2016 update)

Meanwhile, July 2016 jobs overview HERE.

What Was the Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office (Compared to now)?

The following report is outdated.  It has been updated for NOVEMBER 2016 HERE.

ALL Highlights and Reports Listed HERE.

This report is outdated.  For current reports, please click on one of the links above. 

What was the unemployment rate when Bush left office and Obama was inaugurated?  7.8% 

What was unemployment when Obama took office?  How many people were unemployed?  Read below

What was the unemployment rate after Obama's first full month in office (February 2009)?  8.3%

What was the unemployment rate at peak?  10.0%

What is today's (January 2014's) unemployment rate?   6.6%  

(What is the unemployment rate in June 2016?  4.9%)  

All Latest Jobs and Unemployment Reports HERE

How many people were looking for work when Obama was inaugurated; how many were working?  And how many people are looking for work and how many are employed now?

• Read below the graph.

• The following chart shows the unemployment rate in three month intervals plus month-by-month for the latest months:

• 
  

Why are there two lines, one for "Seas Adjusted" and one for "Unadjusted"?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses seasonal adjustments to adjust for the volatility in the labor market from one month to the next.  The relatively even declining red line above shows the unemployment rate based on seasonally adjusted numbers.  The jagged green line shows the unemployment rate based on "real", "raw" numbers; the unadjusted rate.  Notice that the green line goes up in January (after holiday layoffs) and July (school-related layoffs), and it goes down in October and April, which are strong months for workers.  (Employees are all back to school in October, and employers are staffing up for the holidays.  Schools are also full in April and employers are starting to staff up for summer, construction, vacation venues, etc.)  The red line helps us to compare the unemployment rate over a period of months; the green line, however, reflects "reality":  Your friends, neighbors, and family members actually working or not working.  

What Was the Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office? (February 2013 update)

This post has been updated for March 2013 HERE!

What was the unemployment rate when Bush left office and Obama was inaugurated? 7.8%

What was the unemployment rate after Obama's first full month in office (February 2009)?  8.3%

What was the unemployment rate at peak?  10.0%

What is today's (February 2013's) unemployment rate?   7.7%

All Latest Jobs and Unemployment Reports HERE

All February 2013 Jobs News Highlights Indexed HERE

How many people were looking for work when Obama was inaugurated; how many were working?  And how many people are looking for work and how many are employed now?

• Read below the graph.

• The following chart shows the unemployment rate in three month intervals plus month-by-month for the latest three months:  

Why are there two lines, one for "Seas Adjusted" and one for "Unadjusted"?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses seasonal adjustments to adjust for the volatility in the labor market from one month to the next.  The relatively even red line above shows the unemployment rate based on seasonally adjusted numbers.  The jagged green line shows the unemployment rate based on "real", "raw" numbers; the unadjusted rate.  Notice that the green line goes up in January (after holiday layoffs) and July (school-related layoffs), and it goes down in October and April, which are strong months for workers.  (Employees are all back to school in October, and employers are staffing up for the holidays.  Schools are also full in April and employers are starting to staff up for summer, construction, vacation venues, etc.)  The red line helps us to compare the unemployment rate over a period of months; the green line, however, reflects "reality":  Your friends, neighbors, and family members actually working or not working.  

What Was the Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office? (January 2013 update)

March 2013 reports will be released Friday, April 5th.  Check back then!

Please click HERE for all published jobs reports and updates for 2011, 2012, and 2013 to date. 

What was the unemployment rate when Bush left office and Obama was inaugurated? 7.8%

What was the unemployment rate after Obama's first full month in office (February 2009)?  8.3%

What was the unemployment rate at peak?  10.0%

What is today's (January 2013's) unemployment rate?   7.9%

All January 2013 Jobs News Highlights Indexed HERE

All Latest Jobs and Unemployment Reports HERE

How many people were looking for work when Obama was inaugurated; how many were working?  And how many people are looking for work and how many are employed now?

• Read below the graph.

• 
  The following chart shows the unemployment rate in three month intervals plus month-by-month for the latest three months:  

Why are there two lines, one for "Seas Adjusted" and one for "Unadjusted"?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses seasonal adjustments to adjust for the volatility in the labor market from one month to the next.  The relatively even red line above shows the unemployment rate based on seasonally adjusted numbers.  The jagged green line shows the unemployment rate based on "real", "raw" numbers; the unadjusted rate.  Notice that the green line goes up in January (after holiday layoffs) and July (school-related layoffs), and it goes down in October and April, which are strong months for workers.  (Employees are all back to school in October, and employers are staffing up for the holidays.  Schools are also full in April and employers are starting to staff up for summer, construction, vacation venues, etc.)  The red line helps us to compare the unemployment rate over a period of months; the green line, however, reflects "reality":  Your friends, neighbors, and family members actually working or not working.  

What Was the Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office Compared To Now? (November 2012 Update)

March 2013 reports will be released Friday, April 5th.  Check back then!

All Latest Jobs and Unemployment Reports HERE!

What was the unemployment rate when Bush left office and Obama was inaugurated? 7.8%

What was the unemployment rate after Obama's first full month in office (February 2009)?  8.3%

What was the unemployment rate at peak?  10.0%

What is today's (November 2012's) unemployment rate?   7.7%

How many people were looking for work when Obama was inaugurated; how many were working?  And how many people are looking for work and how many are employed now?

• Read below the graph.

• 
  The following chart shows the unemployment rate in three month intervals plus the current month:  

Why are there two lines, one for "Seas Adjusted" and one for "Unadjusted"?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses seasonal adjustments to adjust for the volatility in the labor market from one month to the next.  The relatively even red line above shows the unemployment rate based on seasonally adjusted numbers.  The jagged green line shows the unemployment rate based on "real", "raw" numbers; the unadjusted rate.  Notice that the green line goes up in January (after holiday layoffs) and July (school-related layoffs), and it goes down in October and April, which are strong months for workers.  (Employees are all back to school in October, and employers are staffing up for the holidays.  Schools are also full in April and employers are starting to staff up for summer, construction, vacation venues, etc.)  The green line, however, reflects "reality":  Your friends, neighbors, and family members actually working or not working.  

What Was the Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office Compared to Now?

This report has been updated HERE for June 2015.

The following report is outdated.  All current reports are indexed HERE.

The following post is for October 2012, two years ago.  Please select one of the links above for updated numbers.

What was the unemployment rate when Bush left office and Obama was inaugurated? 7.8%

What was the unemployment rate after Obama's first full month in office (February 2009)?  8.3%

What was the unemployment rate at peak?  10.0%

What is today's (October 2012's) unemployment rate?   7.9%

How many people were looking for work when Obama was inaugurated; how many were working?  And how many people are looking for work and how many are employed now?

• Read below the graph.

The following chart shows the unemployment rate in three month intervals:  

Why are there two lines, one for "Seas Adjusted" and one for "Unadjusted"?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses seasonal adjustments to adjust for the volatility in the labor market from one month to the next.  The relatively even red line above shows the unemployment rate based on seasonally adjusted numbers.  The jagged green line shows the unemployment rate based on "real", "raw" numbers; the unadjusted rate.  Notice that the green line goes up in January (after holiday layoffs) and July (school-related layoffs), and it goes down in October and April, which are strong months for workers.  (Employees are all back to school in October, and employers are staffing up for the holidays.  Schools are also full in April and employers are starting to staff up for summer, construction, vacation venues, etc.)  The green line, however, reflects "reality":  Your friends, neighbors, and family members actually working or not working.  

What Was the Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office Compared To Now? (September 2012 update)

This report has been updated for AUGUST 2016 HERE

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All August 2016 reports and details HERE.
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This report is outdated.  For current reports, please click on one of the links above. 

What was the unemployment rate when Bush left office and Obama was inaugurated? 7.8%

What was the unemployment rate after Obama's first full month in office (February 2009)?  8.3%

What was the unemployment rate at peak?  10.0%

What is today's (September 2012's) unemployment rate?   7.8%

All Latest Jobs and Unemployment Reports HERE

How many people were looking for work when Obama was inaugurated; how many were working?  And how many people are looking for work and how many are employed now?

• What Caused the Rise in Unemployment When Obama Took Office?  Obama caused the unemployment rate to rise?  (Continue reading; the answer  is below.)
•  What Was the Unemployment Rate When Bush Took Office?  How high did it rise?  (The answer is also below.)  

The following chart shows unemployment in three month intervals:

What Was the Unemployment Rate When Obama Took Office Compared to Now? (August 2012 update)

This report has been updated for JUNE 2016 HERE

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All June 2016 reports and details HERE.

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This report is outdated.  For current reports, please click on one of the links above. 

What was the unemployment rate when Bush left office and Obama was inaugurated? 7.8%

What was the unemployment rate after Obama's first full month in office (February 2009)?  8.3%

What was the unemployment rate at peak?  10.0%

What is today's (August 2012's) unemployment rate?   8.1%

2012 Debate Fact Check on Jobs HERE!!

September 27th Important Jobs Update: Good News- 386,000 More Jobs Than Estimated.

How many people were looking for work when Obama was inaugurated; how many were working?  And how many people are looking for work and how many are employed now?

• What Caused the Rise in Unemployment When Obama Took Office?  Obama caused the unemployment rate to rise?  (Continue reading; the answer  is below.)
•  What Was the Unemployment Rate When Bush Took Office?  How high did it rise?  (The answer is also below.)  

The following chart shows unemployment in three month intervals: