Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2018-03-16

Unemployment rates were lower in January than a year earlier in 337 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 39 areas, and unchanged in 12 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-eight areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and four areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 295 metropolitan areas, decreased in 78 areas, and was unchanged in 15 areas. The national unemployment rate in January was 4.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.1 percent a year earlier. In January, Ames, IA, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.8 percent, followed by Urban Honolulu, HI, 2.0 percent. El Centro, CA, had the highest unemployment rate, 17.0 percent. A total of 192 areas had January jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.5 percent, 187 areas had rates above it, and 9 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.