Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-05-31

Unemployment rates were lower in April than a year earlier in 322 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 46 areas, and unchanged in 20 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fifty-six areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and three areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 297 metropolitan areas, decreased in 81 areas, and was unchanged in 10 areas. The national unemployment rate in April was 4.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.7 percent a year earlier. In April, Ames, Iowa, and Boulder, Colo., had the lowest unemployment rates, 1.7 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 19.2 percent. A total of 204 areas had April jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.1 percent, 173 areas had rates above it, and 11 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.