Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2015-04-29

Unemployment rates were lower in March than a year earlier in 358 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 28 areas, and unchanged in 1 area, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Six areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 14 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 344 metropolitan areas, decreased in 41 areas, and was unchanged in 2 areas. The national unemployment rate in March was 5.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 6.8 percent a year earlier. Ames, Iowa, and Lincoln, Neb., had the lowest unemployment rates in March, 2.3 percent each. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 19.9 percent. A total of 206 areas had March unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 5.6 percent, 169 areas had rates above it, and 12 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.