Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-12-05

Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 280 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 79 areas, and unchanged in 13 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-three areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, and 57 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-eight metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 75 had decreases, and 9 had no change. The national unemployment rate in October was 7.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.5 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in October, 31.9 percent and 25.2 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., had the lowest rate, 1.7 percent. A total of 214 areas had October unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 7.0 percent, 144 areas had rates above it, and 14 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.