Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-12-29

Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 271 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 90 areas, and unchanged in 26 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirty-six areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and four areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 303 metropolitan areas, decreased in 73 areas, and was unchanged in 11 areas. The national unemployment rate in November was 4.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.8 percent a year earlier. In November, the lowest unemployment rate was in Ames, Iowa, 1.7 percent. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., had the highest unemployment rates, 20.3 percent and 16.7 percent, respectively. A total of 196 areas had November jobless rates above the U.S. rate of 4.4 percent, 180 areas had rates below it, and 11 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.