Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2018-11-29

Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 272 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 95 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 102 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 2 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 56 metropolitan areas and was essentially unchanged in 332 areas. The national unemployment rate in October was 3.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 3.9 percent a year earlier. In October, Ames, IA, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.1 percent. El Centro, CA, and Yuma, AZ, had the highest unemployment rates, 19.2 percent and 17.7 percent, respectively. A total of 194 areas had October jobless rates above the U.S. rate of 3.5 percent, 173 areas had rates below it, and 21 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.