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RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 918

Lowest labor force participation, US metro areas · 2020

US metro areas with the smallest share of adults 16+ in the civilian labor force (2023 ACS). Wildwood-The Villages, FL leads at 22.6%. 918 metro areas qualify in total. Florida carries 4 of the top 25 entries.

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SAME RANKING BYCitiesCountiesStatesZIP codes
RELATEDLowest unemploymentHighest unemploymentHighest labor force participationMost white-collar workforceMost self-employed workers
YEAR20202024
RANKPLACESTATEPOPLABOR FORCE PARTICIPATIONVS 2000
01The Villages, FLFL157,77222.6%
02Susanville, CACA28,11733.9%
03Cañon City, COCO50,03937.9%
04Middlesborough, KYKY22,82938.4%
05Homosassa Springs, FLFL171,66640.0%
06Palestine, TXTX59,80541.2%
07Punta Gorda, FLFL217,21241.3%
08Beeville, TXTX32,51541.9%
09Sebring, FLFL111,12242.3%
10Brookings, OROR22,62142.7%
11Pahrump, NVNV57,33642.8%
12Pikeville, KYKY89,12243.2%
13Huntsville, TXTX83,84243.3%
14Port Townsend, WAWA33,97043.6%
15Crescent City, CACA26,41044.1%
16Natchez, MSMS54,72244.5%
17Lake Havasu City, AZAZ228,10244.8%
18Forrest City, ARAR21,80045.6%
19Eufaula, ALAL26,86145.7%
20Crossville, TNTN66,30045.8%
21Mountain Home, ARAR42,98245.8%
22Silver City, NMNM27,25246.0%
23Show Low, AZAZ109,94646.1%
24Las Vegas, NMNM30,31146.5%
25Payson, AZAZ53,80146.6%
26Arcadia, FLFL37,07847.2%
27Ocala, FLFL442,66047.3%
28Deming, NMNM25,40747.4%
29Corbin, KYKY150,04047.6%
30Sebastian, FLFL172,79947.9%
31McComb, MSMS52,64048.0%
32Minden, LALA34,94848.0%
33Summerville, GAGA25,30048.1%
34Bluefield, WVWV96,13848.1%
35Portsmouth, OHOH71,36548.1%
36Prescott Valley, AZAZ252,55248.1%
37Lewisburg, PAPA42,31348.2%
38Elkins, WVWV26,88248.6%
39Roanoke Rapids, NCNC63,02548.6%
40Okeechobee, FLFL42,60848.6%
41Cleveland, MSMS28,26248.6%
42Palatka, FLFL77,73448.6%
43Sonora, CACA53,16048.9%
44Magnolia, ARAR21,89449.0%
45Natchitoches, LALA36,08949.0%
46Grants Pass, OROR87,86749.0%
47Port Angeles, WAWA78,20249.2%
48Safford, AZAZ40,15749.3%
49Baker City, OROR16,65849.3%
50Scottsboro, ALAL54,28149.4%
51Gallup, NMNM68,11949.7%
52Beckley, WVWV109,94049.7%
53Española, NMNM39,83249.9%
54Newport, OROR50,63650.0%
55Paris, TNTN32,89650.0%
56Sierra Vista, AZAZ126,33250.3%
57Greenwood, MSMS34,91250.4%
58Pine Bluff, ARAR70,21150.4%
59Camden, ARAR26,36350.7%
60Shelton, WAWA71,16550.7%
61Aberdeen, WAWA78,14450.7%
62North Port, FLFL948,15850.8%
63Laurinburg, NCNC33,32250.8%
64Ruidoso, NMNM19,84450.9%
65Jesup, GAGA32,48150.9%
66Roseburg, OROR111,95150.9%
67Lumberton, NCNC119,94151.0%
68Dublin, GAGA60,35151.0%
69Athens, TXTX88,59551.0%
70Brookhaven, MSMS35,01251.0%
71Clarksdale, MSMS19,84951.0%
72Martinsville, VAVA63,09151.2%
73Clearlake, CACA67,77251.2%
74Cumberland, MDMD93,64051.3%
75Lake City, FLFL74,09451.3%
76Brevard, NCNC34,21151.4%
77Malvern, ARAR33,45151.4%
78Huntington, WVWV365,96551.5%
79El Centro, CACA181,41151.5%
80Alma, MIMI41,19051.6%
81Selma, ALAL35,14051.8%
82Bogalusa, LALA44,93751.8%
83Greeneville, TNTN73,83151.9%
84Waycross, GAGA57,67051.9%
85Naples, FLFL417,13151.9%
86Farmington, MOMO67,80951.9%
87Newport, TNTN37,88952.1%
88Coos Bay, OROR63,99252.1%
89West Plains, MOMO40,79852.2%
90Elk City, OKOK22,15952.2%
91Huntingdon, PAPA43,00152.2%
92Talladega, ALAL91,76452.2%
93Murrells Inlet, SCSC65,91252.3%
94Sandpoint, IDID54,42052.4%
95Snyder, TXTX16,16252.5%
96Alexander City, ALAL40,95352.5%
97Muskogee, OKOK66,70852.6%
98Deltona, FLFL746,93352.7%
99Escanaba, MIMI36,58252.7%
100Opelousas, LALA80,76552.7%
101Big Spring, TXTX30,50452.7%
102Morgan City, LALA46,55252.9%
103Chillicothe, OHOH76,42952.9%
104Milledgeville, GAGA44,02952.9%
105Forest City, NCNC65,74552.9%
106Taos, NMNM34,56453.0%
107New Castle, ININ49,13753.1%
108Grenada, MSMS30,22253.1%
109Fitzgerald, GAGA17,09953.2%
110Cape Coral, FLFL875,60753.3%
111Bonham, TXTX39,26553.3%
112Hot Springs, ARAR99,69553.3%
113Vidalia, GAGA36,18053.3%
114Athens, OHOH63,19753.4%
115Massena, NYNY105,48853.4%
116Marion, OHOH65,11553.4%
117Galesburg, ILIL47,76753.5%
118Thomaston, GAGA28,50053.5%
119Mount Sterling, KYKY48,42853.5%
120Klamath Falls, OROR70,27453.6%
121Athens, TNTN71,59053.7%
122Troy, ALAL33,68853.7%
123Centralia, WAWA88,06253.7%
124Charleston, WVWV200,17053.7%
125Kingsport, TNTN314,83453.7%
126Poplar Bluff, MOMO41,90453.7%
127Rolla, MOMO45,24753.8%
128McAlester, OKOK43,32053.8%
129Port St. Lucie, FLFL568,72153.9%
130Somerset, KYKY67,38453.9%
131Gallipolis, OHOH29,07253.9%
132Texarkana, TXTX146,81654.0%
133Gardnerville Ranchos, NVNV51,15454.0%
134Alamogordo, NMNM70,36854.1%
135Picayune, MSMS59,36354.1%
136El Dorado, ARAR36,92654.1%
137Red Bluff, CACA64,66554.2%
138Martin, TNTN33,26154.2%
139Parkersburg, WVWV87,26454.2%
140Farmington, NMNM120,34054.3%
141Danville, KYKY56,98554.3%
142Lawrenceburg, TNTN46,91454.3%
143Redding, CACA181,64854.3%
144Bainbridge, GAGA29,43254.3%
145Big Rapids, MIMI42,32054.4%
146Kirksville, MOMO29,82454.4%
147Searcy, ARAR80,08554.4%
148Seneca, SCSC83,77554.5%
149Marion, NCNC45,19854.6%
150Houghton, MIMI40,02854.6%
151Starkville, MSMS62,06354.6%
152Corinth, MSMS34,56954.6%
153Ontario, OROR60,08554.6%
154Washington, NCNC44,67054.6%
155Miami, OKOK30,43854.7%
156Wheeling, WVWV134,08954.8%
157Duncan, OKOK44,31054.8%
158Kennett, MOMO26,85554.8%
159Harrison, ARAR45,65454.8%
160Yuma, AZAZ224,44954.8%
161Orangeburg, SCSC83,17754.9%
162DuBois, PAPA78,10054.9%
163Nogales, AZAZ50,02054.9%
164Gadsden, ALAL103,88654.9%
165Danville, VAVA101,13754.9%
166Meridian, MSMS85,41955.0%
167Canton, ILIL32,90155.1%
168Johnstown, PAPA128,96855.1%
169Alice, TXTX45,38355.1%
170Granbury, TXTX70,50155.1%
171Greenville, MSMS40,44655.1%
172Laurel, MSMS82,28155.1%
173Danville, ILIL71,25955.1%
174Hillsdale, MIMI45,73855.1%
175Union City, TNTN30,06755.2%
176Lincoln, ILIL27,18255.2%
177Winchester, TNTN45,57955.2%
178Gaffney, SCSC58,27555.2%
179Monroe, LALA222,39055.2%
180Albertville, ALAL103,53755.2%
181Hermitage, PAPA107,86055.2%
182Seaford, DEDE277,14055.3%
183Ozark, ALAL49,91255.3%
184Tahlequah, OKOK49,19655.3%
185Dixon, ILIL32,91455.3%
186Cornelia, GAGA50,41655.3%
187Lakeland, FLFL874,79055.3%
188Myrtle Beach, SCSC427,55155.3%
189Kerrville, TXTX54,03755.3%
190Ludington, MIMI29,04055.3%
191Truckee, CACA101,91155.4%
192Dothan, ALAL156,26655.4%
193Greenwood, SCSC95,21555.4%
194Palm Bay, FLFL663,98255.4%
195Toccoa, GAGA27,85455.4%
196Weirton, WVWV112,46855.4%
197Madisonville, KYKY45,12755.4%
198Douglas, GAGA52,86155.5%
199Hanford, CACA154,32755.5%
200Indiana, PAPA82,87855.5%
201Ruston, LALA48,36055.6%
202DeRidder, LALA36,67355.6%
203Bradford, PAPA38,98455.6%
204Somerset, PAPA72,00455.7%
205Vineland, NJNJ157,14855.7%
206Jacksonville, TXTX53,33755.7%
207Town of Pecos, TXTX12,13855.8%
208Decatur, ALAL160,32655.8%
209Greencastle, ININ37,87655.8%
210Longview, WAWA114,88555.8%
211Cullman, ALAL94,00955.8%
212Raymondville, TXTX19,97155.8%
213Russellville, ALAL32,44955.8%
214Alpena, MIMI28,85355.9%
215Oil City, PAPA49,34655.9%
216Campbellsville, KYKY38,40755.9%
217Shawnee, OKOK75,10255.9%
218Mansfield, OHOH124,89355.9%
219North Wilkesboro, NCNC66,23356.0%
220Hilton Head Island, SCSC242,96656.0%
221Florence, ALAL156,60956.0%
222Carbondale, ILIL52,50156.1%
223Alexandria, LALA147,95256.1%
224Madison, ININ33,27956.1%
225Fort Payne, ALAL74,08556.2%
226Cambridge, OHOH38,37956.2%
227Waynesville, NCNC63,36956.2%
228Paducah, KYKY102,25956.2%
229Moberly, MOMO24,51356.2%
230Blacksburg, VAVA181,61656.2%
231Peru, ININ34,48756.2%
232Glasgow, KYKY56,22456.2%
233Mayfield, KYKY37,05056.2%
234Sault Ste. Marie, MIMI36,08156.2%
235Zapata, TXTX13,75356.3%
236Pueblo, COCO169,27756.3%
237Eagle Pass, TXTX58,82356.3%
238Russellville, ARAR84,93256.3%
239Brownsville, TXTX433,94656.3%
240Sikeston, MOMO49,97856.4%
241Oxford, ALAL115,83456.4%
242Morehead City, NCNC70,46956.4%
243St. George, UTUT213,67056.4%
244Macon-Bibb County, GAGA238,55356.5%
245Coldwater, MIMI45,99356.5%
246Plattsburgh, NYNY78,13856.5%
247Jamestown, NYNY124,12656.5%
248Chico, CACA209,21156.6%
249Grand Rapids, MNMN45,40456.6%
250Shelby, NCNC103,32556.7%
251Las Cruces, NMNM229,09156.7%
252Montrose, COCO44,59156.7%
253La Grande, OROR25,90056.7%
254Mount Airy, NCNC72,28756.7%
255Beaumont, TXTX399,31056.7%
256Henderson, KYKY57,18456.7%
257Brownwood, TXTX38,71156.8%
258Morristown, TNTN128,86756.8%
259Johnson City, TNTN216,41656.8%
260Iron Mountain, MIMI30,57556.8%
261Saginaw, MIMI187,68856.8%
262Cookeville, TNTN152,47756.9%
263McMinnville, TNTN43,71756.9%
264Jackson, TNTN184,56956.9%
265Seneca Falls, NYNY32,88356.9%
266Jacksonville, ILIL37,38157.0%
267Mobile, ALAL411,65857.0%
268Durant, OKOK51,36757.0%
269Pampa, TXTX21,78657.0%
270Americus, GAGA33,39457.0%
271Arkadelphia, ARAR20,93857.1%
272Walla Walla, WAWA62,36157.1%
273Clewiston, FLFL61,54657.1%
274Clarksburg, WVWV88,14257.2%
275New Bern, NCNC127,35857.2%
276Stillwater, OKOK83,88957.3%
277Sayre, PAPA59,60057.3%
278Marietta, OHOH58,38957.3%
279State College, PAPA157,39357.3%
280Binghamton, NYNY243,18957.3%
281Florence, SCSC201,39257.3%
282Warren, PAPA37,03857.3%
283Batesville, ARAR38,78557.3%
284Michigan City, ININ111,29457.4%
285Bishop, CACA18,15857.4%
286St. Simons, GAGA118,52457.4%
287Easton, MDMD38,23857.4%
288Pottsville, PAPA145,08557.4%
289Paris, TXTX63,31957.4%
290Meadville, PAPA81,79257.4%
291Santa Fe, NMNM156,90757.4%
292Taylorville, ILIL33,44357.4%
293Bartlesville, OKOK54,03757.5%
294Olean, NYNY75,39057.5%
295Connersville, ININ23,53357.5%
296Pinehurst, NCNC110,61957.5%
297Mount Vernon, ILIL36,14757.5%
298Price, UTUT20,68057.6%
299Jackson, MIMI159,55257.6%
300Washington Court House, OHOH28,55257.6%
301Hemlock Farms, PAPA62,80857.6%
302Pontiac, ILIL35,05757.6%
303Rockingham, NCNC42,04157.6%
304Roswell, NMNM63,36457.6%
305Columbus, MSMS67,14457.6%
306Murray, KYKY39,42157.7%
307Wilmington, NCNC492,77257.7%
308Flint, MIMI401,09357.7%
309Kinston, NCNC55,83757.7%
310Sunbury, PAPA107,78857.7%
311Salem, OHOH99,37757.7%
312Oneonta, NYNY60,58957.8%
313Cadillac, MIMI49,71957.8%
314Gainesville, FLFL359,03657.8%
315Youngstown, OHOH423,67857.8%
316Mexico, MOMO24,52857.8%
317Hermiston, OROR93,72157.8%
318Fredericksburg, TXTX28,52757.8%
319Hammond, LALA141,34657.8%
320Ukiah, CACA88,12257.8%
321Sweetwater, TXTX14,11757.9%
322Coshocton, OHOH37,18857.9%
323Cordele, GAGA19,23757.9%
324Marinette, WIWI65,51557.9%
325Rome, GAGA101,37857.9%
326Macomb, ILIL25,91658.0%
327Bakersfield, CACA927,06858.0%
328Vicksburg, MSMS41,75958.0%
329Tucson, AZAZ1,074,68558.1%
330Oak Harbor, WAWA85,65758.1%
331Brenham, TXTX38,28858.1%
332Houma, LALA199,66858.1%
333Marion, ININ66,52458.1%
334Mineral Wells, TXTX30,79158.2%
335Fort Smith, ARAR234,14058.2%
336Medford, OROR221,79558.2%
337Elmira, NYNY80,41558.2%
338Lufkin, TXTX88,15458.2%
339Ponca City, OKOK43,49058.2%
340Pocatello, IDID91,59158.3%
341Monticello, NYNY80,58658.3%
342Rocky Mount, NCNC148,48658.3%
343Richmond, KYKY131,80658.3%
344Daphne, ALAL267,76158.3%
345Alamosa, COCO27,89658.3%
346Longview, TXTX297,31558.3%
347Fairmont, WVWV55,58458.4%
348Oxford, MSMS71,97258.4%
349McAllen, TXTX921,54958.4%
350Marion, ILIL67,22558.4%
351Tifton, GAGA51,23758.4%
352Rio Grande City, TXTX66,31958.5%
353Bloomsburg, PAPA66,19358.5%
354Bay City, MIMI102,12358.5%
355San Luis Obispo, CACA282,36758.5%
356Valdosta, GAGA153,27658.5%
357Enterprise, ALAL56,95358.6%
358Albany, GAGA145,51058.6%
359Henderson, NCNC42,63858.6%
360Moultrie, GAGA47,43858.6%
361Ocean Pines, MDMD54,45958.6%
362Plainview, TXTX36,70058.6%
363LaGrange, GAGA107,09758.7%
364Marquette, MIMI68,06458.7%
365Franklin, KYKY20,78858.7%
366Utica, NYNY285,61158.7%
367Uvalde, TXTX24,96358.7%
368Terre Haute, ININ169,24158.7%
369Altoona, PAPA119,54158.7%
370Shreveport, LALA383,47458.7%
371Muncie, ININ113,10658.8%
372Paragould, ARAR47,41158.8%
373Adrian, MIMI97,77958.8%
374Bay City, TXTX36,46358.8%
375Lewiston, IDID65,45058.8%
376Tuscaloosa, ALAL281,85058.9%
377Maryville, MOMO20,17458.9%
378Astoria, OROR40,92659.0%
379Auburn, NYNY74,36559.0%
380Fayetteville, TNTN36,85359.0%
381Hilo, HIHI210,04359.0%
382Arkansas City, KSKS34,38259.1%
383Ada, OKOK38,52859.1%
384Gloversville, NYNY52,21659.1%
385Pullman, WAWA48,51259.1%
386Montgomery, ALAL388,74759.1%
387Yuba City, CACA187,47859.2%
388Bedford, ININ45,56859.2%
389Lynchburg, VAVA269,16959.2%
390St. Joseph, MOMO119,17059.2%
391Auburn, ALAL208,01359.3%
392Wilson, NCNC81,15059.3%
393Bucyrus, OHOH41,89659.3%
394Hickory, NCNC376,89059.3%
395Ardmore, OKOK48,91059.4%
396Midland, MIMI83,75459.4%
397Albany, OROR132,84359.4%
398Marshall, MOMO23,26559.4%
399Panama City, FLFL231,17459.4%
400Zanesville, OHOH87,01459.4%
401Fort Dodge, IAIA36,83859.4%
402Elizabeth City, NCNC42,20159.4%
403Williamsport, PAPA112,58759.4%
404Mount Vernon, WAWA132,97559.4%
405Kingsville, TXTX30,31559.4%
406Owosso, MIMI67,68159.4%
407Nacogdoches, TXTX66,03559.4%
408Mount Pleasant, TXTX57,07659.5%
409New Iberia, LALA66,84659.5%
410El Campo, TXTX42,06059.5%
411Lock Haven, PAPA37,87059.5%
412Wabash, ININ30,71359.5%
413Thomasville, GAGA72,95859.5%
414Merced, CACA297,26059.5%
415Sumter, SCSC105,06759.6%
416Eureka, CACA131,64759.6%
417Decatur, ILIL99,30059.6%
418Pensacola, FLFL544,94959.6%
419Springfield, OHOH135,34059.6%
420Dyersburg, TNTN36,32059.6%
421Boone, NCNC54,78659.7%
422Muskegon, MIMI177,90159.7%
423Kokomo, ININ83,90459.7%
424Tupelo, MSMS133,16759.7%
425The Dalles, OROR26,31059.7%
426Corning, NYNY91,85559.8%
427Barnstable, MAMA233,53959.8%
428Lake Charles, LALA244,65559.8%
429Bennington, VTVT36,63059.8%
430Battle Creek, MIMI133,40859.8%
431Newberry, SCSC39,56159.9%
432Morgantown, WVWV141,99559.9%
433Columbus, GAGA324,83059.9%
434Asheville, NCNC422,34559.9%
435Cody, WYWY31,17159.9%
436Fort Madison, IAIA32,30659.9%
437Ithaca, NYNY104,04760.0%
438Waco, TXTX308,80760.0%
439Branson, MOMO57,00160.0%
440Staunton, VAVA129,69260.0%
441Brainerd, MNMN100,56260.0%
442Corsicana, TXTX57,18160.1%
443Fresno, CACA1,203,38360.1%
444Tampa, FLFL3,418,89560.1%
445Albemarle, NCNC68,83060.2%
446Butte-Silver Bow, MTMT36,11860.2%
447Amsterdam, NYNY50,04660.2%
448Cedartown, GAGA45,51460.2%
449Anderson Creek, NCNC150,13760.2%
450Eugene, OROR381,58460.2%
451Augusta, GAGA641,23160.2%
452Sandusky, OHOH112,77760.3%
453Kingston, NYNY183,33060.3%
454Tullahoma, TNTN69,33960.3%
455Fallon, NVNV25,85160.3%
456Erie, PAPA265,83260.3%
457Richmond, ININ66,16960.3%
458Knoxville, TNTN968,13760.3%
459Clinton, IAIA46,00260.3%
460Glens Falls, NYNY124,37360.4%
461Goldsboro, NCNC122,27860.4%
462Carson, NVNV58,57160.4%
463Centralia, ILIL36,38260.4%
464Monticello, ININ25,16460.4%
465Stockton, CACA823,81560.4%
466Winston-Salem, NCNC712,20660.4%
467Lebanon, MOMO36,94360.4%
468Hannibal, MOMO38,96960.5%
469Riverside, CACA4,769,00760.5%
470Cleveland, TNTN134,05760.5%
471Calhoun, GAGA61,70160.6%
472Borger, TXTX19,63360.6%
473Birmingham, ALAL1,197,76660.6%
474Shawano, WIWI45,75960.6%
475Hutchinson, KSKS61,53960.6%
476Visalia, CACA485,14660.6%
477Monroe, MIMI156,00460.7%
478Scranton, PAPA574,41860.7%
479Statesboro, GAGA97,97760.7%
480Cambridge, MDMD33,62860.8%
481Coeur d'Alene, IDID191,86460.8%
482Del Rio, TXTX47,83560.8%
483Albuquerque, NMNM925,27960.8%
484Corvallis, OROR97,72860.8%
485Springfield, MAMA464,33860.8%
486Bangor, MEME157,96760.9%
487Sterling, ILIL54,12160.9%
488Jackson, MSMS609,84760.9%
489Laredo, TXTX281,22460.9%
490Corpus Christi, TXTX451,19160.9%
491Roanoke, VAVA316,54760.9%
492Hudson, NYNY60,16860.9%
493Hobbs, NMNM74,74961.0%
494Vernal, UTUT38,27861.0%
495Freeport, ILIL43,22061.0%
496Riverton, WYWY39,46461.0%
497Lewistown, PAPA46,12761.0%
498East Stroudsburg, PAPA167,17961.0%
499Lewisburg, TNTN38,07161.0%
500Owensboro, KYKY113,96261.1%
SHOWING 1–500 OF 918
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UPDATED 2026-06-02 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES

Frequently asked

Which metro area has the lowest labor force participation?

Wildwood-The Villages, FL ranks #1 with 22.6% (2020 American Community Survey).

What are the top 5 metro areas by labor force participation?

Wildwood-The Villages, FL, Susanville, CA, Cañon City, CO, Middlesborough, KY, Homosassa Springs, FL.

How many metro areas are in this ranking?

918 metro areas qualify after filtering for population minimums and data availability. The ranking covers 2020 ACS 5-year data.

How is labor force participation measured?

Share of residents 16+ in the labor force. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020).