NextChapter

Counties with the most job centers per unemployed person in the Midwest

Williamson County has the most American Job Centers for the number of people unemployed in the Midwest: 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 Buchanan County, MO: 14.9 per 10,000
  • #3 Howard County, IN: 12.2 per 10,000
  • 100 counties ranked in the Midwest
  • 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. 2Buchanan County MO14.9 per 10,000
  3. 3Howard County IN12.2 per 10,000
  4. 4Pennington County SD10.0 per 10,000
  5. 5Knox County OH9.9 per 10,000
  6. 6Washington County OH9.9 per 10,000
  7. 7Boone County IL9.9 per 10,000
  8. 8LaPorte County IN9.8 per 10,000
  9. 9St. Francois County MO9.6 per 10,000
  10. 10Wood County WI9.6 per 10,000

What stands out

  • The lead is wide: Williamson County (17.6 per 10,000) is well clear of Wood County at #10 (9.6 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

    Buchanan County MO

    14.9 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    2
    People unemployed
    1,341
    Unemployment rate
    3.5%

    Based on 1,341 jobs.

    Buchanan County job market

  3. 3

    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

  4. 4

    Pennington County SD

    10.0 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,000
    Unemployment rate
    1.7%

    Based on 1,000 jobs.

    Pennington County job market

  5. 5

    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

  6. 6

    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

  7. 7

    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

  8. 8

    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

  9. 9

    St. Francois County MO

    9.6 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,039
    Unemployment rate
    3.7%

    Based on 1,039 jobs.

    St. Francois County job market

  10. 10

    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

  11. 11

    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

  12. 12

    Taney County MO

    9.4 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,066
    Unemployment rate
    3.9%

    Based on 1,066 jobs.

    Taney County job market

  13. 13

    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

  14. 14

    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

  15. 15

    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

  16. 16

    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

  17. 17

    Cole County MO

    9.1 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,102
    Unemployment rate
    2.7%

    Based on 1,102 jobs.

    Cole County job market

  18. 18

    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

  19. 19

    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

  20. 20

    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

  21. 21

    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

  22. 22

    Reno County KS

    8.8 per 10,000

    American Job Centers
    1
    People unemployed
    1,137
    Unemployment rate
    3.9%

    Based on 1,137 jobs.

    Reno County job market

  23. 23

    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

  24. 24

    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

  25. 25

    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

Full ranking

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

RankCountyScoreSample
1Williamson County IL17.6 per 10,0001,136
2Buchanan County MO14.9 per 10,0001,341
3Howard County IN12.2 per 10,0001,637
4Pennington County SD10.0 per 10,0001,000
5Knox County OH9.9 per 10,0001,011
6Washington County OH9.9 per 10,0001,013
7Boone County IL9.9 per 10,0001,014
8LaPorte County IN9.8 per 10,0002,036
9St. Francois County MO9.6 per 10,0001,039
10Wood County WI9.6 per 10,0001,046
11Belmont County OH9.4 per 10,0001,061
12Taney County MO9.4 per 10,0001,066
13Tuscola County MI9.4 per 10,0001,068
14Beltrami County MN9.3 per 10,0001,080
15Isanti County MN9.2 per 10,0001,092
16Ionia County MI9.1 per 10,0001,095
17Cole County MO9.1 per 10,0001,102
18Winona County MN9.0 per 10,0001,110
19Grundy County IL8.9 per 10,0001,122
20Union County OH8.9 per 10,0001,123
21Barry County MI8.9 per 10,0001,129
22Reno County KS8.8 per 10,0001,137
23Montcalm County MI8.8 per 10,0001,140
24Goodhue County MN8.7 per 10,0001,144
25Itasca County MN8.6 per 10,0001,159
26St. Joseph County MI8.6 per 10,0001,161
27Jefferson County OH8.6 per 10,0001,162
28Sandusky County OH8.6 per 10,0001,169
29Hancock County OH8.5 per 10,0001,180
30Wayne County IN8.4 per 10,0001,185
31Jefferson County WI8.1 per 10,0001,237
32Isabella County MI8.0 per 10,0001,248
33Grant County IN8.0 per 10,0001,256
34Cape Girardeau County MO7.9 per 10,0001,272
35Otter Tail County MN7.8 per 10,0001,276
36Hall County NE7.8 per 10,0001,282
37Shiawassee County MI7.7 per 10,0001,299
38Riley County KS7.7 per 10,0001,303
39Marquette County MI7.7 per 10,0001,304
40Clinton County MI7.5 per 10,0001,331
41Butler County KS7.5 per 10,0001,334
42Vermilion County IL7.4 per 10,0001,350
43Scioto County OH7.4 per 10,0001,359
44Erie County OH7.3 per 10,0001,379
45Van Buren County MI7.1 per 10,0001,404
46Clay County MN7.1 per 10,0001,407
47Kosciusko County IN7.1 per 10,0001,416
48Bartholomew County IN6.9 per 10,0001,447
49Tuscarawas County OH6.9 per 10,0001,452
50Muskingum County OH6.8 per 10,0001,477
51Dawson County NE6.7 per 10,0001,493
52Crow Wing County MN6.6 per 10,0001,522
53Floyd County IN6.6 per 10,0001,526
54Rice County MN6.4 per 10,0001,554
55Hancock County IN6.4 per 10,0001,573
56St. Louis County MN6.4 per 10,0004,722
57Leavenworth County KS6.3 per 10,0001,575
58Walworth County WI6.3 per 10,0001,595
59Dubuque County IA6.2 per 10,0001,603
60Franklin County MO6.2 per 10,0001,610
61Eau Claire County WI6.2 per 10,0001,615
62Blue Earth County MN6.2 per 10,0001,619
63Pottawattamie County IA6.2 per 10,0001,625
64Grand Traverse County MI6.1 per 10,0001,628
65Sheboygan County WI6.1 per 10,0001,637
66Midland County MI6.1 per 10,0001,651
67Columbiana County OH6.0 per 10,0001,654
68Medina County OH6.0 per 10,0001,659
69Allen County OH5.8 per 10,0001,718
70Wayne County OH5.8 per 10,0001,739
71La Crosse County WI5.7 per 10,0001,742
72Miami County OH5.6 per 10,0001,788
73Woodbury County IA5.5 per 10,0001,819
74Marathon County WI5.3 per 10,0001,884
75Lenawee County MI5.3 per 10,0001,897
76DeKalb County IL5.3 per 10,0001,902
77Minnehaha County SD5.2 per 10,0001,939
78Vigo County IN5.2 per 10,0001,941
79Eaton County MI5.1 per 10,0001,974
80Jasper County MO5.0 per 10,0002,014
81Richland County OH4.8 per 10,0002,066
82Kankakee County IL4.8 per 10,0002,082
83Allegan County MI4.7 per 10,0002,106
84Lapeer County MI4.6 per 10,0002,152
85Bay County MI4.6 per 10,0002,168
86Macon County IL4.6 per 10,0002,172
87Livingston County MI4.6 per 10,0004,363
88Delaware County IN4.5 per 10,0002,203
89Cass County ND4.5 per 10,0002,216
90Lake County OH4.5 per 10,0002,222
91Clark County OH4.4 per 10,0002,254
92Tazewell County IL4.4 per 10,0002,266
93Wood County OH4.4 per 10,0002,279
94Black Hawk County IA4.2 per 10,0002,401
95Madison County IN4.1 per 10,0002,441
96Carver County MN4.0 per 10,0002,498
97Winnebago County WI4.0 per 10,0002,510
98Clark County IN4.0 per 10,0002,516
99Douglas County KS4.0 per 10,0002,522
100Johnson County IA3.9 per 10,0002,549

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 midwest?
Williamson County has the most American Job Centers for the number of people unemployed in the Midwest: 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 Midwest,” November 2026 edition. https://launchyournextchapter.com/rankings/counties-with-the-most-job-centers-per-unemployed-person-in-the-midwest

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

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

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