Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2011-06-29

Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 274 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 85 areas, and unchanged in 13 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Ten areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 17 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred one metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 157 reported decreases, and 14 had no change. The national unemployment rate in May was 8.7 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.3 percent a year earlier. In May, 81 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 118 areas a year earlier, while 91 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 65 areas in May 2010. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rates in May 2011, 27.9 and 27.7 percent, respectively.