Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2011-06-01

Unemployment rates were lower in April than a year earlier in 297 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 54 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twelve areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 16 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred thirty-seven metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 126 reported decreases, and 9 had no change. The national unemployment rate in April was 8.7 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.5 percent a year earlier. In April, 74 metropolitan areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 127 areas a year earlier, while 92 areas had rates below 7.0 percent, up from 59 areas in April 2010. El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rate in April 2011, 27.9 percent, followed by Yuma, Ariz., 25.3 percent, and Yuba City, Calif., 20.2 percent.