Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2015-12-30

Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 322 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 54 areas, and unchanged in 11 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-six areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent, and six areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 294 metropolitan areas, decreased in 82 areas, and was unchanged in 11 areas. The national unemployment rate in November was 4.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.5 percent a year earlier. Ames, Iowa, and Fargo, N.D.-Minn., had the lowest unemployment rates in November, 1.9 percent each. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., had the highest unemployment rates, 20.4 percent and 20.0 percent, respectively. A total of 187 areas had November jobless rates above the U.S.