Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2014-10-01

Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 322 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 44 areas, and unchanged in 6 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Eleven areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 84 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 306 metropolitan areas, decreased in 57 areas, and was unchanged in 9 areas. The national unemployment rate in August was 6.3 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.3 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in August, 28.0 percent and 25.1 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.2 percent, followed by Fargo, N.D.-Minn., 2.4 percent. A total of 202 areas had August unemployment rates below the U.S.