Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-05-01

Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 306 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 44 areas, and unchanged in 22 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Seven areas had jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, and 33 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-seven metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 80 had decreases, and 5 had no change. The national unemployment rate in March was 7.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.4 percent a year earlier. In March, 44 metropolitan areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 63 areas a year earlier, while 157 areas had rates below 7.0 percent, up from 113 areas in March 2012. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in March 2013, at 26.0 percent and 23.7 percent, respectively.