Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-11-30

Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 341 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 33 areas, and unchanged in 14 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Seventy-four areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and two areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 307 metropolitan areas, decreased in 74 areas, and was unchanged in 7 areas. The national unemployment rate in October was 3.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.7 percent a year earlier. In October, Ames, IA, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.4 percent, closely followed by Columbia, MO, 1.5 percent. El Centro, CA, and Yuma, AZ, had the highest unemployment rates, 20.9 percent and 18.0 percent, respectively. A total of 191 areas had October jobless rates below the U.S.