Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2015-02-04

Unemployment rates were lower in December than a year earlier in 341 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 25 areas, and unchanged in 6 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fourteen areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 158 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 312 metropolitan areas, decreased in 49 areas, and was unchanged in 11 areas. The national unemployment rate in December was 5.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 6.5 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in December, 22.1 percent and 21.0 percent, respectively. Midland, Texas, had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.1 percent. A total of 208 areas had December unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 5.4 percent, 155 areas had rates above it, and 9 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.