August 02, 2002 >
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 268 metropolitan areas across the United States saw higher unemployment rates than they did the same time a year ago. The national unemployment rate for June was registered at 6 percent, with eleven metropolitan areas reporting rates of 10 percent or higher, and fifteen areas reporting rates of less than 3 percent.

Eighty metropolitan areas had unemployment rates of 6.5 percent, an increase from 49 areas at the same time last year. The BLS also reports that fewer areas reported unemployment rates of less than 3.5 percent in June than in June of 2001.

Yuma, Ariz., topped the charts with the highest unemployment rate in the country, 29.5 percent. At the same time, Sioux Falls, S.D., had the lowest rate in the country at 2.1 percent.

Of the 51 metropolitan areas in the United States with a population of at least 1 million, San Jose, Calif., reported the highest unemployment rate in June (7.6 percent). Following closely behind were Dallas, Tex., and Miami, Fla. Of the same group, Washington, D.C., and Orange County, Calif., reported the lowest rates.

San Jose, Calif., also continued to report the greatest increase in over-the-year jobless rate (+3.2 percent).

Links

• BLS Employment Statistics