A coalition of local governments says it worked with the Arizona Department of Economic Security to map the number of unemployment claims by ZIP code. From mid-March to mid-May, part of Yuma led the state.
Roughly two-thirds of state unemployment claims during that time were made by people living in the Maricopa County region, according to the Maricopa Association of Governments.
The group’s data crunch showed a large concentration in neighboring ZIP codes north of Baseline Road in Tempe.
Out-of-work Arizonans are also concentrated in east Phoenix, around the city’s mountains and near Paradise Valley Mall.
More hard-hit parts include south Scottsdale, near Arrowhead Towne Center in the West Valley and in south Chandler along Arizona Avenue.
Arizona’s unemployment rate was 12.6% in April, according to the state Commerce Authority.
