Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-07-02

Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 253 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 86 areas, and unchanged in 33 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-seven areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, and 37 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred seventy-seven metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 86 had decreases, and 9 had no change. The national unemployment rate in May was 7.3 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.9 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in May, 30.8 percent and 22.8 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.4 percent. A total of 205 areas had May unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 7.3 percent, 154 areas had rates above it, and 13 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.