Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2011-04-06

Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 308 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 52 areas, and unchanged in 12 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fifteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 7 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-four metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 77 reported decreases, and 11 were unchanged. The national unemployment rate in February was 9.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 10.4 percent a year earlier. In February 138 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 188 areas a year earlier, while 49 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 42 areas in February 2010. El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rate, 26.9 percent in February 2011. Three other areas had rates above 20.0 percent.