million: Number of Hispanics in work force in October 2009
6.7 million: Number in work force in September 1982
13.1 percent: Hispanic unemployment rate in October 2009
14.4 percent: Hispanic jobless rate in September 1982
HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT STATES, September 1982
Michigan: 15.8 percent
West Virginia: 15.6 percent
Alabama: 13.8 percent
Ohio: 13.1 percent
Illinois: 12.2 percent
HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT STATES, September 2009
Michigan: 15.3 percent
Nevada: 13.3 percent
Rhode Island: 13 percent
California: 12.2 percent
South Carolina: 11.6 percent
ANALYSIS: Manufacturers in the rust belt were hit particularly hard in the early 1980s, putting Midwestern states such as Michigan, Ohio and Illinois in the top 5. While Michigan again has the nation's highest unemployment today, states like Nevada and California are suffering from the housing bubble.
4 percent: Teenagers' proportion of the labor force in October 2009
7.7 percent: Proportion in September 1982
MORE HEALTH AND EDUCATION WORKERS....
14.8 percent: Proportion of workers employed in health care and education in October 2009
8.4 percent: Proportion in September 1982
.... AND FEWER MANUFACTURING WORKERS
8.9 percent: Proportion of workers employed in manufacturing in October 2009
19.2 percent: Proportion in September 1982