Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment Summary

For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, April 29, 2025 		                       USDL-25-0656

Technical information: 
 Employment:    (202) 691-6559  *  sminfo@bls.gov    *  www.bls.gov/sae 
 Unemployment:  (202) 691-6392  *  lausinfo@bls.gov  *  www.bls.gov/lau 

Media contact:  (202) 691-5902  *  PressOffice@bls.gov


                 METROPOLITAN AREA EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT -- MARCH 2025


Unemployment rates were higher in March than a year earlier in 279 of the 387 metropolitan
areas, lower in 72 areas, and unchanged in 36 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
reported today. A total of 25 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 10 areas
had rates of at least 8.0 percent. Nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 23
metropolitan areas, decreased in 1 area, and was essentially unchanged in 363 areas. The
national unemployment rate in March was 4.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 3.9
percent 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. For more information about the concepts and statistical 
methodologies used by these two programs, see the Technical Note.

Metropolitan Area Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

In March, Rapid City, SD, and Sioux Falls, SD-MN, had the lowest unemployment rates, 1.7
percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. El Centro, CA, had the highest rate, 16.4 percent.
A total of 223 areas had March jobless rates below the U.S. rate of 4.2 percent, 145 areas had
rates above it, and 19 areas had rates equal to that of the nation. (See table 1.)

The largest over-the-year unemployment rate increase in March occurred in Yuma, AZ (+2.6
percentage points). Forty-six other areas had rate increases of at least 1.0 percentage point.
Kahului-Wailuku, HI, had the largest over-the-year rate decrease in March (-1.7 percentage
points). Seven other areas had rate declines of at least 1.0 percentage point.

Of the 56 metropolitan areas with a 2020 Census population of 1 million or more, Urban
Honolulu, HI, had the lowest jobless rate in March, 2.3 percent. Fresno, CA, had the highest
rate, 8.9 percent. Forty-two large areas had over-the-year unemployment rate increases, six
had decreases, and eight had no change. The largest rate increases occurred in Detroit-Warren-
Dearborn, MI (+1.4 percentage points), and Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI (+1.2 points).
The largest jobless rate decline occurred in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN (-0.8
percentage point). 

Metropolitan Division Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

Thirteen of the most populous metropolitan areas are made up of 37 metropolitan divisions,
which are essentially separately identifiable employment centers. In March, Miami-Miami Beach-
Kendall, FL, had the lowest division unemployment rate, 2.8 percent. Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia,
MI, had the highest rate among the divisions, 6.5 percent. (See table 2.)

In March, 28 metropolitan divisions had over-the-year unemployment rate increases, 6 had
decreases, and 3 had no change. The largest increase occurred in Detroit-Dearborn-Livonia, MI
(+1.8 percentage points). The largest unemployment rate declines from March 2024 occurred in
Lake County, IL (-1.6 percentage points), and Elgin, IL (-1.4 points).

Metropolitan Area Nonfarm Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

In March 2025, nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 23 metropolitan areas,
decreased in 1 area, and was essentially unchanged in 363 areas. The largest over-the-year
employment increases occurred in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (+94,200), Dallas-Fort
Worth-Arlington, TX (+56,100), and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (+31,500). The
largest over-the-year percentage gains in employment occurred in Barnstable Town, MA (+5.2 
percent), Coeur d'Alene, ID (+4.8 percent), and Rochester, MN (+4.7 percent). Employment
decreased over the year in Yuma, AZ (-2,800, or -4.3 percent). (See table 3.)

Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 9 metropolitan areas with a 2020 Census
population of 1 million or more and was essentially unchanged in 47 areas. The largest over-
the-year percentage increase in employment in these large metropolitan areas occurred in
Fresno, CA (+2.7 percent), followed by Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, and Urban Honolulu, HI
(+2.0 percent each).

Metropolitan Division Nonfarm Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

In March, nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 2 metropolitan divisions and
was essentially unchanged in 35 divisions. The over-the-year increases in employment among the
metropolitan divisions occurred in New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ (+77,800, or +1.2
percent), and Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX (+39,700, or +1.3 percent). (See table 4.)

_____________
The State Employment and Unemployment news release for April is scheduled to be released on
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (ET). The Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment
news release for April is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).