Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2018-04-04

Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 319 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 48 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-eight areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and six areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 313 metropolitan areas, decreased in 69 areas, and was unchanged in 6 areas. The national unemployment rate in February was 4.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.9 percent a year earlier. In February, Urban Honolulu, HI, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.8 percent, closely followed by Ames, IA, 1.9 percent. El Centro, CA, had the highest unemployment rate, 16.0 percent. A total of 200 areas had February jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.4 percent, 173 areas had rates above it, and 15 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.