Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2012-08-01

Unemployment rates were lower in June than a year earlier in 328 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 32 areas, and unchanged in 12 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Eight areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 17 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred sixty-eight metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 96 reported decreases, and 8 had no change. The national unemployment rate in June was 8.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.3 percent a year earlier. In June, 65 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 122 areas a year earlier, while 94 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 57 areas in June of last year. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., recorded the highest unemployment rates in June, 28.2 and 27.9 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., registered the lowest unemployment rate, 2.8 percent.