Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2016-06-29

Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 333 of the 387 metropolitan areas, higher in 49 areas, and unchanged in 5 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-four areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and two areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 311 metropolitan areas, decreased in 70 areas, and was unchanged in 6 areas. The national unemployment rate in May was 4.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.3 percent a year earlier. In May, the lowest unemployment rates were in Ames, Iowa; Burlington-South Burlington, Vt.; and Sioux Falls, S.D., 2.1 percent each. Yuma, Ariz., had the highest unemployment rate, 20.9 percent. A total of 187 areas had May jobless rates above the U.S. rate of 4.5 percent, 185 areas had rates below it, and 15 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.