Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-01-30

Unemployment rates were lower in December than a year earlier in 290 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 68 areas, and unchanged in 14 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Seven areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 33 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-three metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 83 reported decreases, and 6 had no change. The national unemployment rate in December was 7.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.3 percent a year earlier. In December, 47 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 70 areas a year earlier, while 158 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 122 areas in December 2011. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rates in December 2012, at 27.3 and 25.5 percent, respectively. Midland, Texas, registered the lowest unemployment rate, 3.1 percent.