Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly) News Release — 2017-11-01

Unemployment rates were lower in September than a year earlier in 345 of the 388 metropolitan areas, higher in 33 areas, and unchanged in 10 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Sixty-four areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and two areas had rates of at least 10.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 309 metropolitan areas, decreased in 72 areas, and was unchanged in 7 areas. The national unemployment rate in September was 4.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.8 percent a year earlier. In September, Fargo, ND-MN, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.8 percent, closely followed by Bismarck, ND; Boulder, CO; and Fort Collins, CO, 1.9 percent each. El Centro, CA, and Yuma, AZ, had the highest unemployment rates, 22.6 percent and 19.9 percent, respectively. A total of 210 areas had September jobless rates below the U.S.