Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment – August 2010: “Unemployment rates were lower in August than a year earlier in 182 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 169 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twelve areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, while 9 areas registered rates below 5.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in August was 9.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, compared with 9.6 percent a year earlier. In August, 124 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 132 areas a year earlier, while 62 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, down from 68 areas in August 2009. El Centro, Calif., and Yuma, Ariz., again recorded the highest unemployment rates, 30.4 and 30.2 percent, respectively. These two adjacent areas are highly agricultural and experience extreme heat during summer months. Among the 12 areas with jobless rates of at least 15.0 percent, 9 were located in California. Bismarck, N.D., again registered the lowest unemployment rate in August, 3.1 percent, followed by Fargo, N.D.-Minn., 3.7 percent, and Lincoln, Neb., 3.9 percent. Of the nine areas with jobless rates under 5.0 percent, seven were located in the West North Central division. Overall, 231 areas recorded unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 9.5 percent, 139 areas reported rates above it, and 2 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.”