Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-09-28

Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 242 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 123 areas, and unchanged in 22 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Fourteen 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 320 metropolitan areas, decreased in 59 areas, and was unchanged in 8 areas. The national unemployment rate in August was 5.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted, and was little different from that of August 2015. In August, the lowest unemployment rate was in Sioux Falls, S.D., 2.1 percent. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates, 24.6 percent and 23.8 percent, respectively. A total of 190 areas had August jobless rates below the U.S.