Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2008-03-19

Unemployment rates were higher in January than a year earlier in 234 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 111 areas, and unchanged in 24 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Twelve areas, 10 of which are located in California, recorded job- less rates of at least 10.0 percent. Seven areas registered rates below 3.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in January was 5.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 5.0 percent a year earlier. In January, 55 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 46 areas a year earlier, while 49 areas posted rates below 4.0 percent, down from 77 areas in January 2007. Two agricul- tural areas in California registered the highest rates in January 2008: El Centro, 16.5 percent, and Merced, 13.3 percent. Logan, Utah-Idaho, had the lowest jobless rate, 2.4 percent.