Metropolitan Area Employment And Unemployment: November 2007 — 2008-01-09

Unemployment rates were higher in November than a year earlier in 175 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 165 areas, and unchanged in 29 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported to- day. Thirty-four metropolitan areas registered jobless rates below 3.0 percent, while three areas recorded rates higher than 10.0 percent. The national unem- ployment rate in November was 4.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, compared with 4.3 percent a year earlier. In November, 137 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below 4.0 percent, down from 155 areas a year earlier, while 19 areas posted rates of at least 7.0 percent, up slightly from 18 areas in November 2006. Idaho Falls, Idaho, again had the lowest jobless rate, 1.8 percent, followed by Logan, Utah- Idaho, at 2.0 percent, and Sioux Falls, S.D., at 2.1 percent.