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The high rate of unemployment among emerging adults (aged 18 to 25 years) is a public health concern. The risk of depression is higher among the unemployed than among the employed, but little is known about the relationship between unemployment and mental health among emerging adults. This secondary data analysis of the 2010 BRFSS assessed the relationship between unemployment and depression among emerging adults. Almost 12 percent of emerging adults were depressed (PHQ-8 ≥10) and about 23 percent were unemployed. Significantly more unemployed than employed emerging adults were classified with depression. In the final model, the odds of depression were about three times higher for unemployed than employed emerging adults. The relationship between unemployment and depression is significant among emerging adults. With high rates of unemployment for this age group, this population may benefit from employment- and mental health–focused interventions.