May 2000 — 2000-06-28

In May, 222 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below the U.S. average (3.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted), while 102 areas registered higher rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Twenty-nine metropolitan areas had rates below 2.0 percent, with 12 of these located in the Midwest, 9 in the South, and 5 in New England. Of the eight areas with jobless rates over 10.0 percent, six were in California, and two were along the Mexican border in other states. Seventy-one metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below 2.5 percent in May, while 32 areas had rates of at least 5.5 percent. For the fifth straight month, Columbia, Mo. (1.0 percent), and Charlottesville, Va. (1.3 percent), recorded the lowest jobless rates. Yuma, Ariz., where midyear jobless rates tend to be about double the winter rates each year, registered the highest unemployment rate (33.5 percent).