Metropolitan Area Employment And Unemployment: October 2007 — 2007-11-28

Unemployment rates were higher in October than a year earlier in 210 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 138 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Fifty-one metropolitan areas registered jobless rates below 3.0 percent, while two areas recorded rates higher than 10.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in October was 4.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4.1 percent a year earlier. In October, 152 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below 4.0 percent, down from 180 areas a year earlier, while 19 areas posted rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 9 areas in October 2006. Idaho Falls, Idaho, again had the lowest jobless rate, 1.3 percent, followed by Pocatello, Idaho, at 1.9 percent. The highest rates in October continued to be regis- tered in two adjacent, heavily agricultural areas: El Centro, Calif., 20.3 percent, and Yuma, Ariz., 13.6 percent.