The D.C. metro area’s unemployment rate fell to 2.9% in February, down from 3.0% in January and 3.2% a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Among cities with a population of at least one million, Birmingham, Alabama and Miami tied for the lowest unemployment rate, at 2.2%. Las Vegas still has the highest big city jobless rate, at 6.0% in February.
Among all metros, Ames, Iowa, and Madison, Wisconsin had the lowest unemployment rates, at 1.9% in February. El Centro, California again had the highest at 15.6%.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that unemployment rates were lower in February than a year ago in 228 of the 389 metropolitan areas, higher in 131 and unchanged in 30. A total of 95 metro areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0%, and 12 had rates of 8.0% or higher.
Unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics posts monthly metropolitan area unemployment rates and changes in civilian labor force.
