Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-05-29

Unemployment rates were lower in April than a year earlier in 276 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 78 areas, and unchanged in 18 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Four areas had jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, and 48 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred seventy-four metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 88 had decreases, and 10 had no change. The national unemployment rate in April was 7.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.7 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in April, at 30.3 percent and 24.0 percent, respectively. Midland, Texas, had the lowest unemployment rate, 3.0 percent. A total of 213 areas had April unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 7.1 percent, 153 areas had rates above it, and 6 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.