Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release - 2025 M12 Results — 2026-02-06

Unemployment rates were higher in December than a year earlier in 255 of the 387 metropolitan areas, lower in 110 areas, and unchanged in 22 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 61 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 9 areas had rates of at least 8.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 5 metropolitan areas, decreased in 2 areas, and was essentially unchanged in 380 areas. The national unemployment rate in December was 4.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.8 percent a year earlier. This news release presents statistics from two monthly programs. The civilian labor force and unemployment data are based on the same concepts and definitions as those used for the national household survey estimates. These data pertain to people by where they reside.