Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2014-04-29

Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 333 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 30 areas, and unchanged in 9 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-five areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 59 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred ninety-nine metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 59 areas had decreases, and 14 areas had no change. The national unemployment rate in March was 6.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.6 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in March, 22.5 percent and 21.4 percent, respectively. Midland, Texas, had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.7 percent. A total of 213 areas had March unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 6.8 percent, 153 areas had rates above it, and 6 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.