Washington, DCâ(ENEWSPF)âDecember 5, 2013. Unemployment rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 280 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 79 areas, and unchanged in 13 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twenty-three areas had jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, and 57 areas had rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-eight metropolitan areas had over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 75 had decreases, and 9 had no change. The national unemployment rate in October was 7.0 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 7.5 percent a year earlier.
