Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-07-30

Unemployment rates were lower in June than a year earlier in 272 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 73 areas, and unchanged in 27 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fifty-one areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, and 26 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-two metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 79 had decreases, and 11 had no change. The national unemployment rate in June was 7.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.4 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in June, 31.8 percent and 23.6 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., had the lowest rate, 2.8 percent. A total of 207 areas had June unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 7.8 percent, 158 areas had rates above it, and 7 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.