| Nine of the 14 swing states have an unemployment rate lower than the national average. |
| State March 2012 unemployment rate Recent peak unemployment rate and date Electoral votes |
| Iowa 5.2% 6.3% November 2010 6 |
| New Hampshire 5.2% 6.7% January 2010 4 |
| Virginia 5.6% 7.3% January 2010 13 |
| Minnesota 5.8% 8.3% June 2009 10 |
| Wisconsin 6.8% 9.2% January 2010 10 |
| New Mexico 7.2% 8.0% October 2010 5 |
| Pennsylvania 7.5% 8.7% March 2010 20 |
| Ohio 7.5% 10.6% January 2010 18 |
| Colorado 7.8% 9% November 2010 9 |
| USA 8.2% 10.0% October 2009 |
| Michigan 8.5% 14.2% August 2009 16 |
| Arizona 8.6% 10.6% December 2009 11 |
| Florida 9.0% 11.4% February 2010 29 |
| North Carolina 9.7% 11.4% February 2010 15 |
| Nevada 12.0% 14.0% October 2010 6 |