Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-04-06

Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 296 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 76 areas, and unchanged in 15 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Eleven areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 11 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 323 metropolitan areas, decreased in 62 areas, and was unchanged in 2 areas. The national unemployment rate in February was 5.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.8 percent a year earlier. Burlington-South Burlington, Vt., had the lowest unemployment rate in February, 2.6 percent. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 18.6 percent. A total of 190 areas had February jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 5.2 percent, 187 areas had rates above it, and 10 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.