Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-06-01

Unemployment rates were lower in April than a year earlier in 269 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 94 areas, and unchanged in 24 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-five areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and seven areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 327 metropolitan areas, decreased in 54 areas, and was unchanged in 6 areas. The national unemployment rate in April was 4.7 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.1 percent a year earlier. Ames, Iowa, had the lowest unemployment rate in April, 2.0 percent. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 20.1 percent. A total of 195 areas had April jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.7 percent, 177 areas had rates above it, and 15 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.