Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2019-07-03

Unemployment rates were lower in May than a year earlier in 254 of the 389 metropolitan areas, higher in 94 areas, and unchanged in 41 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A total of 119 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 2 areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 46 metropolitan areas, decreased in 2 areas, and was essentially unchanged in 341 areas. The national unemployment rate in May was 3.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, and was little changed from 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.