Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2008-09-30

Unemployment rates were higher in August than a year earlier in 354 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 13 areas, and unchanged in 2 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Eleven areas recorded jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, while five areas registered rates below 3.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in August was 6.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4.6 percent a year earlier. In August, 89 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 19 areas a year earlier, while 34 areas posted rates below 4.0 percent, down from 119 areas in August 2007. El Centro, Calif., and neighboring Yuma, Ariz., continued to record the highest unemployment rates, 24.7 and 22.7 percent, respectively. Joblessness in these two areas is typically higher during summer months due to the effect of extreme heat on agricultural activity.