Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2018-01-04

Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 304 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 67 areas, and unchanged in 17 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Sixty-nine areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and three areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 313 metropolitan areas, decreased in 70 areas, and was unchanged in 5 areas. The national unemployment rate in November was 3.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.4 percent a year earlier. In November, Ames, IA, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.5 percent, followed by Mankato- North Mankato, MN, and Urban Honolulu, HI, 1.9 percent each. El Centro, CA, and Yuma, AZ, had the highest unemployment rates, 19.8 percent and 15.6 percent, respectively. A total of 187 areas had November jobless rates above the U.S.