The Census Bureau's weekly Household Pulse Survey

The Department of Labor 
said last Thursday 
that 30.2 million people 
continued to claim state 
or federal unemployment 
insurance, based on actual 
unemployment claims 
that were processed.

The Bureau of 
Labor Statistics,
on the other hand,
reported the
 labor market 
has improved rapidly 
since April 2020 --
by June 2020, 
unemployment 
was down 
to 17.8 million 
people.

Thats a HUGE difference.

According to the BLS, 
April was the peak 
of the unemployment crisis, 
and an unemployment 
recovery took off in May 
and June. 

I have reported here
that is not true.

The Census Bureau's weekly 
Household Pulse Survey, 
suggests the 30 million 
unemployed is right.

The Census started the 
Household Pulse Survey 
this year to track the effects
of the COVOD-19 virus.

“Week 1” was based on surveys 
sent to households in the week 
from April 23 through May 5.

This was well into the crisis. 



The Census asked:
(1)
“In the last 7 days, 
did you do ANY work 
for either pay or profit?”
( Yes or no, including
self-employment. )

In both Week 1, 
and in Week 12,  
48% reported 
NOT having done 
any work over 
the “last 7 days.” 

Unchanged
in 12 weeks.

Week 12, split 
by age category,
versus Week1:
 -- Improved for 18-24-year-olds, 
        at 45%, up 5 points, perhaps
                   for new summer jobs ?

-- Unchanged for 25-39-year-olds, 
         at 37%.

-- Worsened for 40-54-year-olds,
           up  by 1 point, to 36%.

-- Worsened for 55-64-year-olds 
            up by 1 point, to 46%




The Census also asked:
(2)
“Have you, or has anyone
in your household experienced 
a loss of employment income 
since March 13, 2020?” 
(yes or no, for any reason
-- layoffs, illness, caring
 for a relative, hours cut, etc.)

The latest survey 
was for “Week 12”
 – July 16 - 21 --
showing for US adults 
         (aged 18+),
For Week 12,
51.2% had a “loss of 
employment income”, 
up from 47.0% during 
“Week 1”.


% of Adults experiencing 
loss of employment income 
since March 13, 2020
by income category:
    Less than $25,000 60.1%
    $25,000 – $34,999 58.2%
    $35,000 – $49,999 57.3%
    $50,000 – $74,999 51.6%
    $75,000 – $99,999 47.2%
    $100,000 – $149,999 45.9%
    $150,000 – $199,999 36.5%
    $200,000 and above 33.0%



Here are some of 
the worst-hit states:
(51.1% is US average)
    Nevada: 65.6%
    California: 58.6%
    New York: 58.1%
    Mississippi: 56.2%
    Michigan 56.0%
    Hawaii: 55.8
    New Jersey: 55.4
    Louisiana: 54.6%
    Rhode Island: 54.0%
    Texas 53.5%
    Illinois: 52.5%
    Oregon: 52.4%



Data coming from 
the Census Bureau 
suggests 30 million 
unemployed
makes sense.