Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2010-02-02

Unemployment rates were higher in December than a year earlier in 371 of the 372 metropolitan areas and lower in 1 area, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Nineteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 10 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in December was 9.7 percent, not sea- sonally adjusted, up from 7.1 percent a year earlier. Among the 369 metropolitan areas for which nonfarm payroll employment were available, 356 areas reported over-the-year decreases in employment, 12 reported increases, and 1 remained unchanged. In December, 138 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, up from 42 areas a year earlier, while 68 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, down from 205 areas in December 2008. El Centro, Calif., continued to record the highest unemployment rate, 27.7 percent. Merced, Calif., registered the next highest rate, 19.8 percent.