Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-03-22

Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 227 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 124 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twelve areas had jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, and 13 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Three hundred six metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 57 had decreases, and 9 had no change. The national unemployment rate in January was 8.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.8 percent a year earlier. In January, 80 metropolitan areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 85 areas a year earlier, while 99 areas had rates below 7.0 percent, up from 81 areas in January 2012. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in January 2013, at 26.5 and 25.8 percent, respectively.