Work · 50-STATE RANKING
Which states have the most residents outside the labor force?
Compare residents outside the labor force across all 50 states. Highest reported values appear first. Explore the full ranking, find your state, and share the comparison.
HIGHEST REPORTED11,486,404California
MIDDLE OF THE 50 STATES1,466,926.5Unweighted median of state values
MEASUREMENTCountPopulation size affects this ranking
READ THIS RANKING
Being outside the labor force is distinct from being unemployed and can include retirement, education, caregiving, and other circumstances.
Where does your state stand?
2024 ACS · 5-YEAR50 states · ranks reflect highest reported values first · ties share a rank
| RANK | STATE | RESIDENTS OUTSIDE THE LABOR FORCE | RELATIVE VALUE | State profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | CACalifornia | 11,486,404 | ↗ | |
| 02 | TXTexas | 8,415,947 | ↗ | |
| 03 | FLFlorida | 7,622,253 | ↗ | |
| 04 | NYNew York | 6,064,042 | ↗ | |
| 05 | PAPennsylvania | 3,974,271 | ↗ | |
| 06 | ILIllinois | 3,578,528 | ↗ | |
| 07 | OHOhio | 3,521,329 | ↗ | |
| 08 | NCNorth Carolina | 3,285,188 | ↗ | |
| 09 | MIMichigan | 3,186,755 | ↗ | |
| 10 | GAGeorgia | 3,185,291 | ↗ | |
| 11 | NJNew Jersey | 2,554,260 | ↗ | |
| 12 | VAVirginia | 2,494,496 | ↗ | |
| 13 | AZArizona | 2,391,066 | ↗ | |
| 14 | WAWashington | 2,276,029 | ↗ | |
| 15 | TNTennessee | 2,149,556 | ↗ | |
| 16 | INIndiana | 1,986,259 | ↗ | |
| 17 | MAMassachusetts | 1,953,387 | ↗ | |
| 18 | MOMissouri | 1,842,060 | ↗ | |
| 19 | SCSouth Carolina | 1,733,926 | ↗ | |
| 20 | ALAlabama | 1,697,053 | ↗ | |
| 21 | WIWisconsin | 1,691,367 | ↗ | |
| 22 | MDMaryland | 1,625,139 | ↗ | |
| 23 | COColorado | 1,533,908 | ↗ | |
| 24 | MNMinnesota | 1,485,329 | ↗ | |
| 25 | KYKentucky | 1,467,682 | ↗ | |
| 26 | LALouisiana | 1,466,171 | ↗ | |
| 27 | OROregon | 1,318,826 | ↗ | |
| 28 | OKOklahoma | 1,251,477 | ↗ | |
| 29 | CTConnecticut | 1,031,140 | ↗ | |
| 30 | ARArkansas | 1,016,030 | ↗ | |
| 31 | MSMississippi | 970,374 | ↗ | |
| 32 | NVNevada | 942,603 | ↗ | |
| 33 | IAIowa | 870,508 | ↗ | |
| 34 | UTUtah | 812,370 | ↗ | |
| 35 | KSKansas | 789,001 | ↗ | |
| 36 | NMNew Mexico | 719,928 | ↗ | |
| 37 | WVWest Virginia | 662,909 | ↗ | |
| 38 | IDIdaho | 585,943 | ↗ | |
| 39 | NENebraska | 496,015 | ↗ | |
| 40 | MEMaine | 453,768 | ↗ | |
| 41 | HIHawaii | 425,213 | ↗ | |
| 42 | NHNew Hampshire | 401,601 | ↗ | |
| 43 | MTMontana | 344,443 | ↗ | |
| 44 | DEDelaware | 322,868 | ↗ | |
| 45 | RIRhode Island | 322,060 | ↗ | |
| 46 | SDSouth Dakota | 235,492 | ↗ | |
| 47 | NDNorth Dakota | 201,238 | ↗ | |
| 48 | AKAlaska | 195,492 | ↗ | |
| 49 | VTVermont | 194,632 | ↗ | |
| 50 | WYWyoming | 168,634 | ↗ |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · 2020–2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Supplied extract; descriptive ranks across 50 states.
Washington, D.C. & Puerto Rico · additional context
Shown separately because the main ranking compares the 50 states.
District Of Columbia ↗167,804
Puerto Rico ↗1,467,577