Unemployment rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 228 of the 389metropolitan areas, higher in 131 areas, and unchanged in 30 areas, the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

A total of 95 areas had jobless ratesof less than 3.0 percent and 12 areas had rates of at least 8.0 percent. Nonfarmpayroll employment increased over the year in 96 metropolitan areas and wasessentially unchanged in 293 areas. The national unemployment rate in Februarywas 3.9 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 4.1 percent a year earlier.This news release presents statistics from two monthly programs. The civilianlabor force and unemployment data are based on the same concepts and definitionsas those used for the national household survey estimates. These data pertainto individuals by where they reside. The employment data are from an establishmentsurvey that measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry. Thesedata pertain to jobs on payrolls defined by where the establishments are located.For more information about the concepts and statistical methodologies used bythese two programs, see the Technical Note.Metropolitan Area Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)In February, Ames, IA, and Madison, WI, had the lowest unemployment rates, 1.9percent each. The next lowest rates were in Appleton, WI; Columbia, MO; Decatur,AL; Huntsville, AL; Lincoln, NE; and Sheboygan, WI, 2.0 percent each. El Centro,CA, had the highest rate, 15.6 percent. The next highest rate was in Ocean City,NJ, 11.4 percent. A total of 216 areas had February jobless rates below the U.S.rate of 3.9 percent, 163 areas had rates above it, and 10 areas had rates equalto that of the nation. (See table 1.)The largest over-the-year unemployment rate decreases in February occurred in Lima, OH (-2.0 percentage points), and Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ, and Pine Bluff, AR (-1.7 points each). Sixteen other areas had rate declines of at least1.0 percentage point. El Centro, CA, had the largest over-the-year rate increasein February (+2.2 percentage points).Of the 51 metropolitan areas with a 2010 Census population of 1 million or more,Birmingham-Hoover, AL, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, had thelowest jobless rates in February, 2.2 percent each. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise,NV, had the highest rate, 6.0 percent. Thirty-three large areas had over-the-yearunemployment rate decreases, 11 had increases, and 7 had no change. The largestrate decline occurred in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA (-1.2 percentagepoints). The largest jobless rate increase was in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro,OR-WA (+0.7 percentage point).Metropolitan Division Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)Eleven of the most populous metropolitan areas are made up of 38 metropolitandivisions, which are essentially separately identifiable employment centers. In February, Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL, had the lowest division unemploymentrate, 1.7 percent. Tacoma-Lakewood, WA, had the highest rate among the divisions,6.7 percent. (See table 2.)In February, 30 metropolitan divisions had over-the-year unemployment rate decreases, 5 had increases, and 3 had no change. The largest rate decline occurred in Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI (-1.8 percentage points). The largestover-the-year jobless rate increase occurred in Tacoma-Lakewood, WA (+1.1percentage points).Metropolitan Area Nonfarm Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)In February, nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 96 metropolitanareas and was essentially unchanged in 293 areas. The largest over-the-yearemployment increases occurred in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA (+287,600),Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (+211,600), and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim,CA (+146,900). The largest over-the-year percentage gains in employment occurredin Midland, TX (+10.1 percent), Odessa, TX (+6.6 percent), and Pocatello, ID(+6.3 percent). (See table 3.)Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 37 metropolitan areas with a 2010 Census population of 1 million or more, while employment was essentiallyunchanged in 14 areas. The largest over-the-year percentage increases in employment in these large metropolitan areas occurred in Jacksonville, FL (+5.6 percent), Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV (+5.4 percent), and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (+5.3 percent).Metropolitan Division Nonfarm Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)In February, nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 20 metropolitandivisions and was essentially unchanged in 18 divisions. The largest over-the-yearincreases in employment among the metropolitan divisions occurred in New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ (+236,700), Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX (+154,500),and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA (+102,300). (See table 4.)The largest over-the-year percentage increases in employment occurred in Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX (+5.4 percent), Fort Worth-Arlington, TX (+5.0 percent), andMiami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL (+4.4 percent).

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