Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2012-04-10

Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 344 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 19 areas, and unchanged in 9 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 12 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred sixty-seven metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 98 reported decreases, and 7 had no change. The national unemployment rate in February was 8.7 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.5 percent a year earlier. In February, 77 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 137 areas a year earlier, while 90 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 54 areas a year earlier. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., recorded the highest unemployment rates in February, 26.7 and 23.7 percent, respectively.