Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2014-01-07

Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 293 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 71 areas, and unchanged in 8 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-one areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, and 73 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred ninety- eight metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 63 had decreases, and 11 had no change. The national unemployment rate in November was 6.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.4 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in November, 28.2 percent and 23.8 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., had the lowest rate, 2.3 percent. A total of 204 areas had November unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 6.6 percent, 159 areas had rates above it, and 9 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.