August 2000 — 2000-09-27

In August, 224 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below the U.S. average (4.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted), while 101 areas registered higher rates, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Nineteen metropolitan areas had rates below 2.0 percent, with nine of these located in the Midwest, six in New England, and four in the South. Among the five areas with jobless rates over 10.0 percent, three were in California, and two were along the Mexican border in other states. Fifty-six metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below 2.5 percent in August, while 47 areas had rates of 5.5 percent or more. Columbia, Mo., and Stamford-Norwalk, Conn. (both 1.2 percent), had the lowest jobless rates, followed by Sioux Falls, S.D. (1.3 percent). Yuma, Ariz., where midyear job- less rates tend to be more than double the winter rates, posted the highest unemployment rate (40.7 percent). Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, Calif., and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Tex., followed with the next highest rates (both 13.4 percent).