Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2010-06-02

Unemployment rates were higher in April than a year earlier in 291 of the 372 metropolitan areas, lower in 73 areas, and unchanged in 8 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fourteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 8 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in April was 9.5 per- cent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 8.6 percent a year earlier. In April, 128 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, up from 91 areas a year earlier, while 67 areas posted rates be- low 7.0 percent, down from 113 areas in April 2009. El Centro, Calif., again recorded the highest unemployment rate, 27.9 percent. Yuma, Ariz., followed with a rate of 24.4 percent. Among the 14 areas with jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, 11 were located in California.