Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-06-28

Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 298 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 66 areas, and unchanged in 24 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fifty-seven areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and two areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 304 metropolitan areas, decreased in 77 areas, and was unchanged in 6 areas. (See box note.) The national unemployment rate in May was 4.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.5 percent a year earlier. In May, Ames, Iowa; Bismarck, N.D.; and Fargo, N.D.-Minn., had the lowest unemployment rates, 1.9 percent each, closely followed by Fort Collins, Colo., 2.0 percent. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 20.5 percent. A total of 194 areas had May jobless rates below the U.S.