The unemployment rate for Black Americans rose to 7% in September, marking a notable increase from 6% in August, according to the U.S. Labor Department’s latest employment report. The rise represents the largest monthly jump since the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and, excluding pandemic-related disruptions, is the biggest increase since 2012.

By comparison, the overall national unemployment rate edged up slightly from 4.1% in August to 4.2% in September, leaving the Black unemployment rate 2.8 percentage points above the broader rate. The increase was more pronounced among Black women aged 20 and older, whose unemployment rate climbed from 5.6% to 6.8% during the same period. For Black men in that age group, the rate rose from 5.6% to 6%.

While the jump has raised concerns, some economists urge caution against interpreting the data as indicative of a larger economic downturn. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House’s National Economic Council, described the rise as “definitely cause for concern” and said the administration will monitor the situation closely. Hassett also suggested that seasonal employment patterns and the occupational distribution among racial groups could be contributing factors.

Gbenga Ajilore, chief economist at the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, noted that fluctuations in Black unemployment sometimes precede changes in the overall rate. However, he emphasized that a single month’s data does not establish a trend, stressing the importance of observing upcoming employment reports before drawing conclusions.

Year-over-year comparisons show a decline in Black unemployment, which stood at 7.6% in September 2025. Specifically, the rates for Black women and men aged 20 and older have dropped from 7.5% and 6.7%, respectively, over the past year.

Despite this improvement, unemployment among Black Americans remains significantly higher than rates for other racial and ethnic groups. In September, the unemployment rate was reported at 2.9% for Asian Americans, 3.6% for White Americans, and 4.7% for Hispanic or Latino Americans.

The administration has committed to examining the underlying reasons behind the recent increase. Hassett indicated that more detailed analysis is underway to identify the root causes of the rise, pointing to possible links with seasonal employment variations and demographic patterns in affected industries.