Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2015-09-30

Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 365 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 16 areas, and unchanged in 6 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Eleven areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and three areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 303 metropolitan areas, decreased in 71 areas, and was unchanged in 13 areas. The national unemployment rate in August was 5.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 6.3 percent a year earlier. Fargo, N.D.-Minn., had the lowest unemployment rate in August, 2.2 percent. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates, 26.9 percent and 23.7 percent, respectively. A total of 189 areas had August unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 5.2 percent, 184 areas had rates above it, and 14 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.