By Greg Grootendorst
Chief Economist
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its metropolitan employment and unemployment statistics for April, revealing that 64% of the 372 metro areas realized increases in year-over-year payroll employment. The experience in metro areas ranged from substantial increases (83 new jobs in Dallas, TX and 13.8% increase in Sandusky, OH) to substantial declines (16 fewer jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino, CA and a 4.2% decrease in Missoula, MT). Hampton Roads recorded payroll employment decreased 0.2% on a year-over-year basis and is down over 46 jobs from the pre-recession peak in July of 2007.
Unemployment rates decreased on a year-over-year basis for 80% of metropolitan areas. Regional unemployment rates for larger metro areas ranged from a high of 13.4% in San Bernardino, CA to a low of 4.5% in Oklahoma City. Hampton Roads’ unemployment rate was 6.5% in April, down from 7.1% in April of 2010. On a seasonally adjusted basis, Hampton Roads unemployment rate for April was 6.8%, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous two months. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April for Virginia was 6.1% and 9.0% for the nation.
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