NextChapter

Counties with the most job centers per unemployed person in the Great Lakes

Williamson County has the most American Job Centers for the number of people unemployed in the Great Lakes: 17.6 per 10,000, against 2.3 per 10,000 across all ranked counties.November 2026 edition. Updated monthly, from public Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census data.

Key facts

  • #1 Williamson County, IL: 17.6 per 10,000
  • #2 Howard County, IN: 12.2 per 10,000
  • #3 Knox County, OH: 9.9 per 10,000
  • 100 counties ranked in the Great Lakes
  • Data as of November 2026

For comparison: 2.3 per 10,000 across all ranked counties.

  1. 1Williamson County IL17.6 per 10,000
  2. 2Howard County IN12.2 per 10,000
  3. 3Knox County OH9.9 per 10,000
  4. 4Washington County OH9.9 per 10,000
  5. 5Boone County IL9.9 per 10,000
  6. 6LaPorte County IN9.8 per 10,000
  7. 7Wood County WI9.6 per 10,000
  8. 8Belmont County OH9.4 per 10,000
  9. 9Tuscola County MI9.4 per 10,000
  10. 10Beltrami County MN9.3 per 10,000

What stands out

  • The lead is wide: Williamson County (17.6 per 10,000) is well clear of Beltrami County at #10 (9.3 per 10,000).
  • LaPorte County is the largest market in the top ten, with 2,036 people unemployed behind its figure.
  • Counties with fewer than 1,000 people unemployed are not ranked, and small differences between neighbouring ranks are not meaningful.

Why this ranking matters

What it shows

Counties differ in how many American Job Centers serve them for the people unemployed there. The figure shows where help is closest to the people who need it.

How to use it

Check the county page for the center nearest you and what it offers. A county with none may be served by a neighbour.

The top 25

  1. 1

    Williamson County IL

    17.6 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    2
    People unemployed
    1,136
    Unemployment rate
    3.6%

    Based on 1,136 jobs.

    Williamson County job market

  2. 2

    Howard County IN

    12.2 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    2
    People unemployed
    1,637
    Unemployment rate
    4.6%

    Based on 1,637 jobs.

    Howard County job market

  3. 3

    Knox County OH

    9.9 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,011
    Unemployment rate
    3.3%

    Based on 1,011 jobs.

    Knox County job market

  4. 4

    Washington County OH

    9.9 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,013
    Unemployment rate
    3.8%

    Based on 1,013 jobs.

    Washington County job market

  5. 5

    Boone County IL

    9.9 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,014
    Unemployment rate
    4.0%

    Based on 1,014 jobs.

    Boone County job market

  6. 6

    LaPorte County IN

    9.8 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    2
    People unemployed
    2,036
    Unemployment rate
    3.9%

    Based on 2,036 jobs.

    LaPorte County job market

  7. 7

    Wood County WI

    9.6 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,046
    Unemployment rate
    2.9%

    Based on 1,046 jobs.

    Wood County job market

  8. 8

    Belmont County OH

    9.4 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,061
    Unemployment rate
    4.0%

    Based on 1,061 jobs.

    Belmont County job market

  9. 9

    Tuscola County MI

    9.4 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,068
    Unemployment rate
    4.7%

    Based on 1,068 jobs.

    Tuscola County job market

  10. 10

    Beltrami County MN

    9.3 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,080
    Unemployment rate
    4.8%

    Based on 1,080 jobs.

    Beltrami County job market

  11. 11

    Isanti County MN

    9.2 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,092
    Unemployment rate
    4.7%

    Based on 1,092 jobs.

    Isanti County job market

  12. 12

    Ionia County MI

    9.1 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,095
    Unemployment rate
    3.7%

    Based on 1,095 jobs.

    Ionia County job market

  13. 13

    Winona County MN

    9.0 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,110
    Unemployment rate
    3.9%

    Based on 1,110 jobs.

    Winona County job market

  14. 14

    Grundy County IL

    8.9 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,122
    Unemployment rate
    3.9%

    Based on 1,122 jobs.

    Grundy County job market

  15. 15

    Union County OH

    8.9 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,123
    Unemployment rate
    2.9%

    Based on 1,123 jobs.

    Union County job market

  16. 16

    Barry County MI

    8.9 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,129
    Unemployment rate
    4.0%

    Based on 1,129 jobs.

    Barry County job market

  17. 17

    Montcalm County MI

    8.8 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,140
    Unemployment rate
    3.9%

    Based on 1,140 jobs.

    Montcalm County job market

  18. 18

    Goodhue County MN

    8.7 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,144
    Unemployment rate
    4.3%

    Based on 1,144 jobs.

    Goodhue County job market

  19. 19

    Itasca County MN

    8.6 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,159
    Unemployment rate
    5.5%

    Based on 1,159 jobs.

    Itasca County job market

  20. 20

    St. Joseph County MI

    8.6 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,161
    Unemployment rate
    4.4%

    Based on 1,161 jobs.

    St. Joseph County job market

  21. 21

    Jefferson County OH

    8.6 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,162
    Unemployment rate
    4.2%

    Based on 1,162 jobs.

    Jefferson County job market

  22. 22

    Sandusky County OH

    8.6 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,169
    Unemployment rate
    4.3%

    Based on 1,169 jobs.

    Sandusky County job market

  23. 23

    Hancock County OH

    8.5 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,180
    Unemployment rate
    3.3%

    Based on 1,180 jobs.

    Hancock County job market

  24. 24

    Wayne County IN

    8.4 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,185
    Unemployment rate
    3.9%

    Based on 1,185 jobs.

    Wayne County job market

  25. 25

    Jefferson County WI

    8.1 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,237
    Unemployment rate
    2.5%

    Based on 1,237 jobs.

    Jefferson County job market

Full ranking

All 100 counties that qualified, with the figure each is ranked on.

RankCountyScoreSample
1Williamson County IL17.6 per 10,0001,136
2Howard County IN12.2 per 10,0001,637
3Knox County OH9.9 per 10,0001,011
4Washington County OH9.9 per 10,0001,013
5Boone County IL9.9 per 10,0001,014
6LaPorte County IN9.8 per 10,0002,036
7Wood County WI9.6 per 10,0001,046
8Belmont County OH9.4 per 10,0001,061
9Tuscola County MI9.4 per 10,0001,068
10Beltrami County MN9.3 per 10,0001,080
11Isanti County MN9.2 per 10,0001,092
12Ionia County MI9.1 per 10,0001,095
13Winona County MN9.0 per 10,0001,110
14Grundy County IL8.9 per 10,0001,122
15Union County OH8.9 per 10,0001,123
16Barry County MI8.9 per 10,0001,129
17Montcalm County MI8.8 per 10,0001,140
18Goodhue County MN8.7 per 10,0001,144
19Itasca County MN8.6 per 10,0001,159
20St. Joseph County MI8.6 per 10,0001,161
21Jefferson County OH8.6 per 10,0001,162
22Sandusky County OH8.6 per 10,0001,169
23Hancock County OH8.5 per 10,0001,180
24Wayne County IN8.4 per 10,0001,185
25Jefferson County WI8.1 per 10,0001,237
26Isabella County MI8.0 per 10,0001,248
27Grant County IN8.0 per 10,0001,256
28Otter Tail County MN7.8 per 10,0001,276
29Shiawassee County MI7.7 per 10,0001,299
30Marquette County MI7.7 per 10,0001,304
31Clinton County MI7.5 per 10,0001,331
32Vermilion County IL7.4 per 10,0001,350
33Scioto County OH7.4 per 10,0001,359
34Erie County OH7.3 per 10,0001,379
35Van Buren County MI7.1 per 10,0001,404
36Clay County MN7.1 per 10,0001,407
37Kosciusko County IN7.1 per 10,0001,416
38Bartholomew County IN6.9 per 10,0001,447
39Tuscarawas County OH6.9 per 10,0001,452
40Muskingum County OH6.8 per 10,0001,477
41Crow Wing County MN6.6 per 10,0001,522
42Floyd County IN6.6 per 10,0001,526
43Rice County MN6.4 per 10,0001,554
44Hancock County IN6.4 per 10,0001,573
45St. Louis County MN6.4 per 10,0004,722
46Walworth County WI6.3 per 10,0001,595
47Eau Claire County WI6.2 per 10,0001,615
48Blue Earth County MN6.2 per 10,0001,619
49Grand Traverse County MI6.1 per 10,0001,628
50Sheboygan County WI6.1 per 10,0001,637
51Midland County MI6.1 per 10,0001,651
52Columbiana County OH6.0 per 10,0001,654
53Medina County OH6.0 per 10,0001,659
54Allen County OH5.8 per 10,0001,718
55Wayne County OH5.8 per 10,0001,739
56La Crosse County WI5.7 per 10,0001,742
57Miami County OH5.6 per 10,0001,788
58Marathon County WI5.3 per 10,0001,884
59Lenawee County MI5.3 per 10,0001,897
60DeKalb County IL5.3 per 10,0001,902
61Vigo County IN5.2 per 10,0001,941
62Eaton County MI5.1 per 10,0001,974
63Richland County OH4.8 per 10,0002,066
64Kankakee County IL4.8 per 10,0002,082
65Allegan County MI4.7 per 10,0002,106
66Lapeer County MI4.6 per 10,0002,152
67Bay County MI4.6 per 10,0002,168
68Macon County IL4.6 per 10,0002,172
69Livingston County MI4.6 per 10,0004,363
70Delaware County IN4.5 per 10,0002,203
71Lake County OH4.5 per 10,0002,222
72Clark County OH4.4 per 10,0002,254
73Tazewell County IL4.4 per 10,0002,266
74Wood County OH4.4 per 10,0002,279
75Madison County IN4.1 per 10,0002,441
76Carver County MN4.0 per 10,0002,498
77Winnebago County WI4.0 per 10,0002,510
78Clark County IN4.0 per 10,0002,516
79Rock County WI3.8 per 10,0002,665
80Calhoun County MI3.7 per 10,0002,678
81Monroe County IN3.7 per 10,0002,705
82Kendall County IL3.6 per 10,0002,741
83Fairfield County OH3.6 per 10,0002,752
84Greene County OH3.6 per 10,0002,797
85Portage County OH3.4 per 10,0002,901
86Johnson County IN3.4 per 10,0002,916
87Kenosha County WI3.4 per 10,0002,955
88Berrien County MI3.4 per 10,0002,961
89Jackson County MI3.3 per 10,0003,021
90Monroe County MI3.3 per 10,0003,043
91Licking County OH3.3 per 10,0003,055
92Lorain County OH3.3 per 10,0003,069
93McLean County IL3.3 per 10,0003,069
94Sangamon County IL3.0 per 10,0003,291
95Washington County MN3.0 per 10,0006,593
96Hendricks County IN3.0 per 10,0003,301
97Vanderburgh County IN3.0 per 10,0003,314
98Racine County WI3.0 per 10,0003,378
99Olmsted County MN2.9 per 10,0003,395
100Wright County MN2.9 per 10,0003,478

How this ranking works

A county's score is its American Job Centers (CareerOneStop directory) for every 10,000 people unemployed there (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted).

The figure counts places to get help, not how much help each offers. Only counties with at least one job center and 1,000 unemployed people are ranked; a center serves its surrounding area, so a county with none may be served by a neighbour.

Sample bar: counties with fewer than 1,000 jobs are not ranked.

Sources: CareerOneStop American Job Center directory; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (not seasonally adjusted). Data as of November 2026.

Our job data covers professional roles on the career sites of employers we track, so figures describe that market, not every job. Spot an error? Tell us.

Questions

Which county ranks first: counties with the most job centers per unemployed person in the great lakes?
Williamson County has the most American Job Centers for the number of people unemployed in the Great Lakes: 17.6 per 10,000, against 2.3 per 10,000 across all ranked counties.
How many counties are ranked?
100 counties have at least 1,000 people unemployed, so the list has 100 entries.
How is the ranking calculated?
A county's score is its American Job Centers (CareerOneStop directory) for every 10,000 people unemployed there (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted). The figure counts places to get help, not how much help each offers. Only counties with at least one job center and 1,000 unemployed people are ranked; a center serves its surrounding area, so a county with none may be served by a neighbour.
How often is it updated?
Every month. This is the November 2026 edition. Older editions stay on this site at their own dated addresses.

More rankings

Cite this ranking

NextChapter, “Counties with the most job centers per unemployed person in the Great Lakes,” November 2026 edition. https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/counties-with-the-most-job-centers-per-unemployed-person-in-the-great-lakes

Link to it: <a href="https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/counties-with-the-most-job-centers-per-unemployed-person-in-the-great-lakes">Counties with the most job centers per unemployed person in the Great Lakes (NextChapter, November 2026)</a>

Download the data: CSV · JSON. Free to use with a link back.

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