Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-03-17

Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 205 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 147 areas, and unchanged in 36 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Eleven areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 13 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 308 metropolitan areas, decreased in 75 areas, and was unchanged in 5 areas. The national unemployment rate in January was 5.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, little changed from a year earlier. In January, Ames, Iowa, had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.3 percent. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 19.6 percent. A total of 199 areas had January jobless rates above the U.S. rate of 5.1 percent, 178 areas had rates below it, and 11 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.