Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2013-10-21

Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 311 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 47 areas, and unchanged in 14 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty- eight areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, and 41 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred and eighty-eight metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 72 had decreases, and 12 had no change. The national unemployment rate in August was 7.3 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.2 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in August, 32.6 percent and 26.3 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., had the lowest rate, 2.4 percent. A total of 207 areas had August unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 7.3 percent, 158 areas had rates above it, and 7 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.