Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2008-01-29

Unemployment rates were higher in December than a year earlier in 277 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 67 areas, and unchanged in 25 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Eight metropolitan areas, seven of which are located in California, recorded jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent. Twenty-two areas regis- tered rates below 3.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in December was 4.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4.3 percent a year ear- lier. In December, 32 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 22 areas a year earlier, while 108 areas posted rates below 4.0 percent, down from 168 areas in December 2006. Two adjacent, heavily agricultural areas continued to register the highest jobless rates: El Centro, Calif., 17.9 percent, and Yuma, Ariz., 12.4 percent.