Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2018-10-03

Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 340 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 35 areas, and unchanged in 13 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fifty-seven areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and two areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 60 metropolitan areas and was essentially unchanged in 328 areas. The national unemployment rate in August was 3.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.5 percent a year earlier. In August, Ames, IA, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.7 percent. Yuma, AZ, and El Centro, CA, had the highest unemployment rates, 22.0 percent and 20.3 percent, respectively. A total of 189 areas had August jobless rates above the U.S. rate of 3.9 percent, 186 areas had rates below it, and 13 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.