Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release - 2023 M12 Results — 2024-02-06

Unemployment rates were higher in December than a year earlier in 230 of the 389 metropolitan areas, lower in 128 areas, and unchanged in 31 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 9 areas had jobless rates of less than 2.0 percent and 10 areas had rates of at least 8.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 61 metropolitan areas and was essentially unchanged in 328 areas. The national unemployment rate in December was 3.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.3 percent a year earlier. This news release presents statistics from two monthly programs. The civilian labor force and unemployment data are based on the same concepts and definitions as those used for the national household survey estimates. These data pertain to individuals by where they reside. The employment data are from an establishment survey that measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry.