Metropolitan Area Employment And Unemployment: June 2005 — 2005-08-03

Unemployment rates were lower in June than a year earlier in 290 of the 367 metropolitan areas, higher in 59 areas, and unchanged in 18 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. One area registered a jobless rate below 3.0 percent, while two areas recorded unemployment rates over 10.0 percent. The national unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.8 percent in June 2004. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 299 metropolitan areas over the year. In June, 49 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below 4.0 percent, up from 21 areas a year earlier, while 34 areas had unemployment rates of at least 7.0 percent, down from 59 areas in June 2004. Idaho Falls, Idaho, recorded the lowest unemployment rate, 2.8 percent. Fargo, N.D.-Minn., and Iowa City, Iowa, had the next lowest rates, 3.0 percent each.