Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2021-03-19

Unemployment rates were higher in January than a year earlier in 376 of the 389 metropolitan areas, lower in 9 areas, and unchanged in 4 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 21 areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent and 34 had rates of less than 4.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased over the year in 218 metropolitan areas, increased in 1 area, and was essentially unchanged in 170 areas. The national unemployment rate in January was 6.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4.0 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.