Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2011-08-31

Unemployment rates were lower in July than a year earlier in 257 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 94 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twelve areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while ten areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred thirty-two metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 133 reported decreases, and 7 had no change. The national unemployment rate in July was 9.3 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.7 percent a year earlier. In July, 117 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 127 areas a year earlier, while 62 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 54 areas in July 2010. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., recorded the highest unemployment rates in July 2011, 30.8 and 30.0 percent, respectively.