Metropolitan Area Employment And Unemployment: October 2005 — 2005-11-30

Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 254 of the 367 metropolitan areas, higher in 94 areas, and unchanged in 19 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Eighteen metropolitan areas registered jobless rates below 3.0 percent, while seven areas recorded rates of 10.0 percent or more. The national unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.1 percent a year earlier. In October, 111 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below 4.0 percent, up from 72 areas a year earlier, while 29 areas posted un- employment rates of at least 7.0 percent, about the same as 28 areas in October 2004. Fargo, N.D.-Minn., had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.1 percent, followed closely by Bismarck, N.D., and Idaho Falls, Idaho, 2.2 percent each. Seven of the nine areas with the highest jobless rates in October were affected by Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita.