January 1998 — 1998-03-18

In January, 216 metropolitan areas recorded unemployment rates below the U.S. average (5.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted), while 105 areas had higher rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The 10 metropolitan areas with the lowest unemployment rates were in the Midwest and South, regions with record low jobless rates. Seven of the 10 areas with the highest rates were in California. Metropolitan areas account for only 20 percent of the nation's land area, but more than 80 percent of the labor force. Eighty-three metropolitan areas had unemployment rates below 3.5 percent in January, while 58 reported rates of 6.5 percent or higher. Traditionally, the extreme unemployment rates occur in relatively small labor markets. The lowest rates in January were recorded in Charlottesville, Va. (1.6 percent), Columbia, Mo., Fargo-Moorhead, N.D.- Minn., and Lincoln, Neb. (1.7 percent each), and Madison, Wis. (1.9 percent). The highest rates occurred in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Tex.