Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2012-11-28

Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 329 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 37 areas, and unchanged in 6 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Three areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 41 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-eight metropolitan areas reported over-the- year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 80 reported decreases, and 4 had no change. The national unemployment rate in October was 7.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.5 percent a year earlier. In October, 35 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 80 areas a year earlier, while 180 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 107 areas in October of last year. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rates in October, 29.8 and 28.1 percent, respectively.