Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2012-06-27

Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 331 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 32 areas, and unchanged in 9 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Five areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 29 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred sixty-six metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 101 reported decreases, and 5 had no change. The national unemployment rate in May was 7.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.7 percent a year earlier. In May, 45 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 84 areas a year earlier, while 140 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 96 areas in May of last year. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rates in May, 28.9 and 26.8 percent, respectively.