Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-05-03

Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 336 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 38 areas, and unchanged in 14 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-three areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent, and 11 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 310 metropolitan areas, decreased in 71 areas, and was unchanged in 7 areas. The national unemployment rate in March was 4.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.1 percent a year earlier. In March, Ames, Iowa, and Boulder, Colo., had the lowest unemployment rates, 2.0 percent each, closely followed by Fort Collins, Colo., 2.1 percent. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 19.2 percent. A total of 197 areas had March jobless rates below the U.S.