Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2010-03-19

Unemployment rates were higher in January than a year earlier in 363 of the 372 metropolitan areas, lower in 7 areas, and unchanged in 2 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirty-five areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 2 areas regis- tered rates below 5.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in January was 10.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 8.5 percent a year earlier. Among the 371 metropolitan areas for which nonfarm pay- roll data were available, 346 areas reported over-the-year decreases in employment, 24 reported increases, and 1 remained unchanged. In January, 187 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, up from 86 areas a year earlier, while 38 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, down from 107 areas in January 2009. Three areas in California registered the highest unemployment rates: El Centro, 27.3 percent; Merced, 21.7 percent; and Yuba City, 20.8 percent.