How accurate are estimates of state and local unemployment?

Local and area unemployment has increased interest in and the importance of state and local unemployment estimates. This study examines the accuracy of such estimates by comparing those provided by the 1960 Census of Population with those of the Bureau of Employment Security of the United States Department of Labor (for April 1960). Additional comparisons are also made with national and regional Current Population Survey estimates for the same month. The study shows that there was considerable divergence between the BES and Census estimates of state and local unemployment, thus raising the question of the adequacy of these estimates for purposes of resting policy decisions on them. (Author's abstract courtesy EBSCO.)