Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2008-04-02

Unemployment rates were higher in February than a year earlier in 246 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 101 areas, and unchanged in 22 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Ten areas, 9 of which are located in California, recorded jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, while 11 areas regis- tered rates below 3.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in February was 5.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4.9 percent a year earlier. In February, 42 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 36 areas a year earlier, while 70 areas recorded rates below 4.0 percent, down from 95 areas in February 2007. Two agricultural areas in California registered the highest rates in February: El Centro, 15.9 percent, and Merced, 13.4 percent. Houma- Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, La., and Logan, Utah-Idaho, posted the lowest job- less rates, 2.5 percent each.