Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-04-05

Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 274 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 88 areas, and unchanged in 26 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Ten areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent, and 11 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 323 metropolitan areas, decreased in 64 areas, and was unchanged in 1 area. The national unemployment rate in February was 4.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 5.2 percent a year earlier. In February, Ames, Iowa, had the lowest unemployment rate, 2.1 percent. El Centro, Calif., had the highest unemployment rate, 18.4 percent. A total of 190 areas had February jobless rates above the U.S. rate of 4.9 percent, 186 areas had rates below it, and 12 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.