Unionization varies widely by state: Union density by state, 2015–2019 average
| State | Union density 2015–2019 | Category |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 24.7% | High density |
| Hawaii | 23.0% | High density |
| Alaska | 19.9% | High density |
| Washington | 19.5% | High density |
| Connecticut | 17.3% | High density |
| Rhode Island | 17.3% | High density |
| New Jersey | 16.8% | High density |
| California | 16.7% | High density |
| Michigan | 15.8% | High density |
| Oregon | 15.6% | High density |
| Nevada | 15.5% | High density |
| Illinois | 15.3% | High density |
| Minnesota | 15.2% | High density |
| Maine | 13.9% | High density |
| Ohio | 13.7% | High density |
| Massachusetts | 13.6% | High density |
| Montana | 13.5% | High density |
| Pennsylvania | 13.3% | Medium density |
| Vermont | 12.6% | Medium density |
| Maryland | 12.2% | Medium density |
| West Virginia | 12.1% | Medium density |
| Kentucky | 11.8% | Medium density |
| New Hampshire | 11.7% | Medium density |
| District of Columbia | 11.2% | Medium density |
| Delaware | 11.2% | Medium density |
| Missouri | 10.7% | Medium density |
| Colorado | 10.6% | Medium density |
| Indiana | 10.3% | Medium density |
| Kansas | 10.3% | Medium density |
| Alabama | 9.6% | Medium density |
| Iowa | 9.6% | Medium density |
| Wisconsin | 9.0% | Medium density |
| Nebraska | 8.8% | Medium density |
| New Mexico | 8.3% | Medium density |
| Wyoming | 7.7% | Low density |
| Mississippi | 7.5% | Low density |
| Oklahoma | 7.3% | Low density |
| Florida | 7.3% | Low density |
| North Dakota | 6.9% | Low density |
| South Dakota | 6.8% | Low density |
| Idaho | 6.3% | Low density |
| Tennessee | 6.2% | Low density |
| Arizona | 6.1% | Low density |
| Virginia | 5.9% | Low density |
| Louisiana | 5.8% | Low density |
| Arkansas | 5.8% | Low density |
| Utah | 5.6% | Low density |
| Texas | 5.5% | Low density |
| Georgia | 5.1% | Low density |
| North Carolina | 3.9% | Low density |
| South Carolina | 3.2% | Low density |
Notes: Union density is defined as the share of workers in the state who are represented by a union, including union members and other workers who are covered by a union contract, based on the variable “union” from EPI extracts of CPS-ORG microdata.
Union density is defined as the share of workers in the state who are represented by a union, including union members and other workers who are covered by a union contract, based on the variable “union” from EPI extracts of CPS-ORG microdata. We average union density data across 2015 to 2019 for each state to give a more accurate estimate of states’ typical unionization rates over time. We do not include data beyond 2019 in our averages, to avoid any potential distortions related to the 2020–2021 COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing recession.
Source: EPI analysis of 2015–2019 Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group (CPS-ORG) data for all workers ages 16 and older.
This chart appears in:
- Who are today’s union workers?: Unionized workers are diverse, and they work in most industries across America
- Building Worker Power 2021
- Unions are not only good for workers, they’re good for communities and for democracy: High unionization levels are associated with positive outcomes across multiple indicators of economic, personal, and democratic well-being
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