Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2012-10-30

Unemployment rates were lower in September than a year earlier in 345 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 22 areas, and unchanged in 5 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Two areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 41 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred sixty-seven metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 94 reported decreases, and 11 had no change. The national unemployment rate in September was 7.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.8 percent a year earlier. In September, 35 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 84 areas a year earlier, while 171 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 92 areas in September of last year. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rates in September, 29.7 and 28.5 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., registered the lowest unemployment rate, 2.2 percent.