Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2011-03-18

Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 282 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 73 areas, and unchanged in 17 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Sixteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while five areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred sixty-six metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 93 reported decreases, and 13 were unchanged. The national unemployment rate in January was 9.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 10.6 percent a year earlier. In January 154 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 196 areas a year earlier, while 47 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 35 areas in January 2010. El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rate, 25.1 percent, followed by Yuma, Ariz., 23.2 percent.