Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release - 2025 M02 Results — 2025-04-09

Unemployment rates were higher in February than a year earlier in 255 of the 387 metropolitan areas, lower in 97 areas, and unchanged in 35 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 15 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 12 areas had rates of at least 8.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 21 metropolitan areas, decreased in 1 area, and was essentially unchanged in 365 areas. The national unemployment rate in February was 4.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4.2 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.