Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-04-10

Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 287 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 69 areas, and unchanged in 16 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Eight areas had jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, and 22 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Three hundred three metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 58 had decreases, and 11 had no change. The national unemployment rate in February was 8.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.7 percent a year earlier. In February, 61 metropolitan areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 81 areas a year earlier, while 120 areas had rates below 7.0 percent, up from 87 areas in February 2012. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in February 2013, at 25.6 and 24.2 percent, respectively. Midland, Texas, had the lowest unemployment rate, 3.2 percent.