RANKING · 2024 ACS · 14 SHOWN OF 14

Most unemployed people, Massachusetts counties

Massachusetts counties with the most unemployed people in the civilian labor force, as of the 2024 American Community Survey. Ranked by number of people, not the unemployment rate. This list covers the 14 counties in Massachusetts that qualify, ranked against each other statewide. The median across all 14 is 14,876.

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SAME RANKING BYCities States Metros

RELATEDLowest unemployment Highest unemployment Highest labor force participation Lowest labor force participation Most white-collar workforce Most self-employed workers

RANKPLACESTATEPOPUNEMPLOYED RESIDENTSVS 2020

01Middlesex County, MAMA1,669,97941,204+6%

02Suffolk County, MAMA791,89129,522−9%

03▲1Worcester County, MAMA888,50224,864+15%

04▼1Essex County, MAMA826,65322,898+2%

05Norfolk County, MAMA739,74920,502+16%

06Bristol County, MAMA593,64016,983+4%

07Plymouth County, MAMA546,82914,876+3%

08Hampden County, MAMA464,33813,638−4%

09▲1Barnstable County, MAMA233,5395,920+33%

10▼1Hampshire County, MAMA164,0654,369−13%

11Berkshire County, MAMA128,2243,618+6%

12Franklin County, MAMA70,6982,038−2%

13Dukes County, MAMA21,219791+67%

14Nantucket County, MAMA14,758370−7%

SHOWING 1–14 OF 14

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UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES