Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2014-10-29

Unemployment rates were lower in September than a year earlier in 339 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 26 areas, and unchanged in 7 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Six areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 118 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 314 metropolitan areas, decreased in 53 areas, and was unchanged in 5 areas. The national unemployment rate in September was 5.7 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.0 percent a year earlier. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rates in September, 25.9 percent and 23.9 percent, respectively. Bismarck, N.D., had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.1 percent, followed by Fargo, N.D.-Minn., 2.3 percent. A total of 191 areas had September unemployment rates below the U.S.