Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2020-03-20

Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 292 of the 389 metropolitan areas, higher in 77 areas, and unchanged in 20 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 51 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 4 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 31 metropolitan areas, decreased in 1 area, and was essentially unchanged in the remaining 357 areas. The national unemployment rate in January was 4.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.4 percent a year earlier. This news release presents statistics from two monthly programs. The civilian labor force and unemployment data are based on the same concepts and definitions as those used for the national household survey estimates. These data pertain to individuals by where they reside.