Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2015-03-20

Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 339 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 38 areas, and unchanged in 10 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Three areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 17 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 357 metropolitan areas, decreased in 25 areas, and was unchanged in 5 areas. The national unemployment rate in January was 6.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.0 percent a year earlier. Midland, Texas, had the lowest unemployment rate in January, 2.6 percent, followed by Lincoln, Neb., 2.8 percent, and Ames, Iowa, 2.9 percent. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., had the highest unemployment rates, 21.3 percent and 19.8 percent, respectively. A total of 198 areas had January unemployment rates below the U.S.