Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release - 2024 M03 Results — 2024-05-01

Unemployment rates were higher in March than a year earlier in 269 of the 389 metropolitan areas, lower in 89 areas, and unchanged in 31 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 77 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 12 areas had rates of at least 8.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 51 metropolitan areas, decreased in 5 areas, and was essentially unchanged in 333 areas. The national unemployment rate in March was 3.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.6 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.