Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-03-18

Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 333 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 43 areas, and unchanged in 11 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Six areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent, and 12 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 325 metropolitan areas, decreased in 55 areas, and was unchanged in 7 areas. The national unemployment rate in January was 5.3 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 6.1 percent a year earlier. Ames, Iowa, and Boulder, Colo., had the lowest unemployment rates in January, 2.5 percent each. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 19.2 percent. A total of 187 areas had January jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 5.3 percent, 184 areas had rates above it, and 16 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.