Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2018-11-06

Unemployment rates were lower in September than a year earlier in 308 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 58 areas, and unchanged in 22 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 109 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 2 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 58 metropolitan areas, decreased in 1 area, and was essentially unchanged in 329 areas. The national unemployment rate in September was 3.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.1 percent a year earlier. In September, Ames, IA, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.4 percent. El Centro, CA, and Yuma, AZ, had the highest unemployment rates, 19.3 percent and 19.1 percent, respectively. A total of 201 areas had September jobless rates below the U.S.