Metropolitan Area Employment And Unemployment: May 2005 — 2005-06-29

Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 252 metropolitan areas, higher in 85 areas, and unchanged in 19 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Ten areas registered jobless rates below 3.0 percent, while two areas recorded unemployment rates over 10.0 percent. The May unemployment rate for the U.S. was 4.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 306 metropolitan areas over the year. In May, 86 of the 367 metropolitan areas posted unemployment rates below 4.0 percent, while 26 areas reported unemployment rates of at least 7.0 percent. Honolulu, Hawaii, registered the lowest jobless rate, 2.4 per- cent, followed closely by Burlington-South Burlington, Vt., and Fargo, N.D.-Minn., 2.6 percent each. The highest rates in May were recorded in two western agricultural areas with extreme climates: Yuma, Ariz., 18.2 percent, and El Centro, Calif., 13.1 percent. Overall, 195 areas reported unemployment rates below the U.S.