Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-09-27

Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 323 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 55 areas, and unchanged in 10 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirty-two areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and three areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 326 metropolitan areas, decreased in 55 areas, and was unchanged in 7 areas. The national unemployment rate in August was 4.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.0 percent a year earlier. In August, Fort Collins, CO, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.8 percent, closely followed by Boulder, CO, 1.9 percent. El Centro, CA, and Yuma, AZ, had the highest unemployment rates, 24.9 percent and 23.7 percent, respectively. A total of 196 areas had August jobless rates below the U.S.