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Jobless rates in different types of labor market areas, 2000–2010
Maggie C. Woodward
Maggie C. Woodward is an economist in the Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Email: woodward.maggie@bls.gov.
Before the 2007-2009 recession, metropolitan areas had unemployment rates that were 0.4 percentage point lower, on average, than micropolitan area rates, which in turn were slightly lower than those of small labor market areas; during the recession, rates increased and nearly equalized, and in 2010 the three types of areas had about the same rate
Labor market areas (LMAs) in the United States are classified into one of three types based upon the presence and size of urban cores in the areas. This article examines the rates of unemployment among the different types of areas over the past decade, which included two national recessions. The article also highlights areas with notable rates over the 2007–09 recession.1
1 The analysis that follows updates and expands the article 'Micropolitan Statistical Areas: a few highlights," by George Helmer, which appeared in the April 2008 issue of the Monthly Labor Review.
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