Non-compete law is dependant on the state (it various a lot). In many states non-competes are very enforceable.

Search for non-compete enforcement in the states you are interested in. You should find plenty of articles put out by law firms.

Oh, that's all you meant. I thought it was always mentioned under the context of it being unenforceable in a particular state, so that's what I was confused. Didn't even realize there are people who thought they're unenforceable everywhere!

You would be surprised. I think people confuse rarely enforced with unenforceable.