Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2011-04-27

Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 317 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 44 areas, and unchanged in 11 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fourteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while eight areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred sixty metropolitan areas reported over-the- year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 101 reported decreases, and 11 were unchanged. The national unemployment rate in March was 9.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 10.2 percent a year earlier. In March, 112 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 166 areas a year earlier, while 65 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 44 areas a year earlier. El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rate, 24.6 percent in March; three other areas had rates above 20.0 percent.