Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2021-02-03

Unemployment rates were higher in December than a year earlier in 379 of the 389 metropolitan areas, lower in 7 areas, and unchanged in 3 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 51 areas had jobless rates of less than 4.0 percent, and 20 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased over the year in 232 metropolitan areas, increased in 2 areas, and was essentially unchanged in 155 areas. The national unemployment rate in December was 6.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.4 percent a year earlier. This news release presents statistics from two monthly programs. The civilian labor force and unemployment data are based on the same concepts and definitions as those used for the national household survey estimates. These data pertain to individuals by where they reside. The employment data are from an establishment survey that measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry.