Metropolitan Area Employment And Unemployment: September 2007 — 2007-10-30

Unemployment rates were higher in September than a year earlier in 184 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 154 areas, and unchanged in 31 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Thirty-four metropolitan areas registered jobless rates below 3.0 percent, while two areas recorded rates higher than 10.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in September was 4.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted. In September, 126 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates below 4.0 percent, down from 151 areas a year earlier, while 18 areas posted rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 13 areas in September 2006. Idaho Falls, Idaho, again had the lowest jobless rate, 1.3 percent, followed by three additional Idaho areas: Boise City-Nampa, Coeur d�Alene, and Pocatello at 1.7 percent each.