Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-04-27

Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 270 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 98 areas, and unchanged in 19 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Ten areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 11 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 332 metropolitan areas, decreased in 51 areas, and was unchanged in 4 areas. The national unemployment rate in March was 5.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.6 percent a year earlier. Ames, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, S.D., had the lowest unemployment rates in March, 2.4 percent each. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 18.6 percent. A total of 195 areas had March jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 5.1 percent, 181 areas had rates above it, and 11 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.