Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-08-02

Unemployment rates were lower in June than a year earlier in 336 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 45 areas, and unchanged in 7 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-six areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and two areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 342 metropolitan areas, decreased in 39 areas, and was unchanged in 7 areas. The national unemployment rate in June was 4.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.1 percent a year earlier. In June, Fort Collins, Colo., had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.1 percent, closely followed by Boulder, Colo.; Elkhart-Goshen, Ind.; Fargo, N.D.-Minn.; and Idaho Falls, Idaho, 2.3 percent each. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., had the highest unemployment rates, 20.8 percent and 20.5 percent, respectively. A total of 192 areas had June jobless rates below the U.S.