Three areas in Michigan posted jobless rates higher than 15%, including Detroit. The city wrecked by the collapse of the auto industry continued to lead the nation's areas of 1 million people or more with the highest unemployment rate in November at 15.4%.
California's Inland Empire, including Riverside, San Bernardino and Ontario, ranked second to Detroit among larger areas with an unemployment rate of 14.2% in November.
El Centro, Calif., held its place as the metropolitan area with the highest unemployment rate at 29.2%, down from an upwardly revised 31.9% in October.
The second highest rate was in Yuma, Ariz., at 21.1%, a drop from 23.3% in October.
Jobless rates were higher than 10% in 125 metropolitan areas in November, up from 123 in October.
Overall, 143 cities in the Labor Department report had unemployment rates above the non-seasonally adjusted national figure of 9.4%, while 229 reported jobless rates below it.
The three metro areas with the lowest unemployment rates in November were all in North Dakota, with Bismarck at 3.4%, followed by Fargo and Grand Forks at 3.7%.
Large cities with the lowest jobless rates were New Orleans and the Washington, D.C. metro areas, each at 6.1%. Oklahoma City followed close behind with an unemployment rate of 6.4%.
El Centro, Calif., maintains 30% jobless rateUnemployment rate improves in Tennessee
