Interactive Map of Vanishing Employment

Slate has created an impressive map using the Labor Department’s local area unemployment statistics.  The map shows employment loss and gain for the 3,100 counties in the United States since January of 2006.  Blue dots indicate a gain and red dots a loss.  The larger the dot, the larger the gain or loss.  Click on the timeline at bottom to see comparisons by month dating from January 2007 through to June of 2009. You can also click on the “play” button to see the map gradually progress from a positive job gain situation in January of 2007 to a massive job loss (over 5 million jobs lost) by June of 2009.

Read more: When Did Your County’s Jobs Disappear?