Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2019-03-15

Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 199 of the 389 metropolitan areas, higher in 150 areas, and unchanged in 40 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-two areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and six areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 53 metropolitan areas and was essentially unchanged in 336 areas. The national unemployment rate in January was 4.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, little changed from a year earlier. In January, Ames, IA, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.9 percent. El Centro, CA, had the highest unemployment rate, 18.5 percent. A total of 198 areas had January jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.4 percent, 176 areas had rates above it, and 15 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.