Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2008-10-29

Unemployment rates were higher in September than a year earlier in 349 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 14 areas, and unchanged in 6 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Ten areas recorded jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, while nine areas registered rates below 3.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in September was 6.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4.5 percent a year earlier. In September, 84 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 17 areas a year earlier, while 46 areas posted rates below 4.0 percent, down from 133 areas in September 2007. El Centro, Calif., and neighboring Yuma, Ariz., continued to record the highest unemployment rates, 24.5 and 20.5 percent, respectively. Joblessness in these two areas is typically higher during summer months due to the effect of extreme heat on agricultural activity.