Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-08-03

Unemployment rates were lower in June than a year earlier in 285 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 75 areas, and unchanged in 27 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Eight areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and six areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 329 metropolitan areas, decreased in 47 areas, and was unchanged in 11 areas. The national unemployment rate in June was 5.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.5 percent a year earlier. In June, the lowest unemployment rate was in Sioux Falls, S.D., 2.3 percent. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 23.7 percent. A total of 191 areas had June jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 5.1 percent, 180 areas had rates above it, and 16 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.