Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2020-04-08

Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 277 of the 389 metropolitan areas, higher in 80 areas, and unchanged in 32 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 73 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 6 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 34 metropolitan areas and was essentially unchanged in the remaining 355 areas. The national unemployment rate in February was 3.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.1 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.