WASHINGTON — Unemployment rates were higher in July than a year earlier in 350 of the 389 metropolitan areas, lower in 22 areas, and unchanged in 17 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
A total of 30 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0% and eight areas had rates of at least 8.0%. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 61 metropolitan areas, decreased in one area, and was essentially unchanged in 327 areas. The national unemployment rate in July was 4.5%, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.8% 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. These data pertain to jobs on payrolls defined by where the establishments are located.
Metropolitan Area Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
In July, Sioux Falls, SD, had the lowest unemployment rate, 1.6%. The next lowest rates were in Rapid City, SD, 1.8%, and Burlington-South Burlington, VT, 1.9%. El Centro, CA, had the highest rate, 18.7%. A total of 227 areas had July jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.5%, 148 areas had rates above it, and 14 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.
The largest over-the-year unemployment rate increase in July occurred in Toledo, OH (+2.8 percentage points). Eight other areas had rate increases of at least 2.0 percentage points. Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS, had the largest over-the-year rate decrease in July (-0.6 percentage point).
Of the 51 metropolitan areas with a 2010 Census population of 1 million or more, Birmingham-Hoover, AL, and Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN, had the lowest jobless rates in July, 2.9 percent each. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV, had the highest rate, 6.7%. Forty-seven large areas had over-the-year unemployment rate increases, one had a decrease, and three had no change. The largest rate increases occurred in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, and Providence-Warwick, RI-MA (+2.4 percentage points each). The only jobless rate decline occurred in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT (-0.3 percentage point).
Metropolitan Division Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Eleven of the most populous metropolitan areas are made up of 38 metropolitan divisions, which are essentially separately identifiable employment centers. In July, Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, MD, had the lowest division unemployment rate, 3.0%, closely followed by Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL, 3.1%. Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI, had the highest rate among the divisions, 8.2%.
In July, all 38 metropolitan divisions had over-the-year unemployment rate increases. The largest of these occurred in Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI (+3.2 percentage points).
Metropolitan Area Nonfarm Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
In July, nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 61 metropolitan areas, decreased in 1 area, and was essentially unchanged in 327 areas. The largest over-the-year employment increases occurred in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA (+202,900), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (+105,000), and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (+75,300). The largest over-the-year percentage gains in employment occurred in College Station-Bryan, TX (+6.0%), Merced, CA (+5.2%), and Charleston-North Charleston, SC (+5.0%). The over-the-year decrease occurred in Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI (-5,000, or -6.6%).
Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 26 metropolitan areas with a 2010 Census population of 1 million or more and was essentially unchanged in 25 areas. The largest over-the-year percentage increases in employment in these large metropolitan areas occurred in Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV (+3.7%), and Salt Lake City, UT (+3.0%), followed by Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL; Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ; and Richmond, VA (+2.6% each).
Metropolitan Division Nonfarm Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
In July, nonfarm payroll unemployment decreased over the year in 11 metropolitan divisions and was essentially unchanged in 27 divisions. The largest over-the-year increases in employment among the metropolitan divisions occurred in New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ (+156,600), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA (+73,900), and Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL (+38,300).
The largest over-the-year percentage increases in employment occurred in Camden, NJ (+3.2%), Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL (+3.0%), and Philadelphia, PA (+2.8%).
