Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-02-03

Unemployment rates were lower in December than a year earlier in 296 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 79 areas, and unchanged in 12 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-five areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent, and 12 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 280 metropolitan areas, decreased in 94 areas, and was unchanged in 13 areas. The national unemployment rate in December was 4.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.4 percent a year earlier. Ames, Iowa, had the lowest unemployment rate in December, 2.2 percent. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., had the highest unemployment rates, 19.6 percent and 18.0 percent, respectively. A total of 188 areas had December jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.8 percent, 187 areas had rates above it, and 12 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.