Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2010-04-07

Unemployment rates were higher in February than a year earlier in 347 of the 372 metropolitan areas, lower in 21 areas, and unchanged in 4 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-nine areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 2 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in February was 10.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 8.9 percent a year earlier. Among the 371 metropolitan areas for which nonfarm pay- roll data were available, 343 areas reported over-the-year decreases in employment, 26 reported increases, and 2 had no change. In February, 187 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, up from 99 areas a year earlier, while 42 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, down from 86 areas in February 2009. Three areas in California again registered the highest unemployment rates: El Centro, 27.2 percent; Merced, 22.1 percent; and Yuba City, 21.6 percent.