United States, August 29, 2025
News Summary
In July, the national unemployment rate for metropolitan areas rose to 4.6%, up from 4.4% in June, reflecting mixed job market trends. Many regions reported increased hiring, including New York and New Jersey, while others, like El Centro, California, faced significantly high rates. The job market dynamics indicate both challenges and growth opportunities, highlighting localized trends important for policymakers and job seekers.
U.S. Unemployment Rates Show Mixed Trends in July
In July, nearly half of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States experienced an increase in unemployment rates compared to the previous year. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national unemployment rate for metropolitan areas rose to 4.6%, up from 4.4% in June, reflecting a mixed landscape for job markets across the country.
Despite the overall rise in unemployment, certain regions displayed growth. Employers in states like New York, New Jersey, Utah, and North Carolina reported increased hiring, contributing to the addition of new jobs. Notably, 239 out of 387 metropolitan areas surveyed had lower unemployment rates than the national average, indicating some local job market resilience.
Among the 387 metropolitan areas, 1.7% was recorded as the lowest unemployment rate in both Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, while El Centro, California, faced the highest rate at an alarming 20.2%.
Regional Unemployment Trends
In metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 1 million, Honolulu, Hawaii, boasted the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5% for July. Conversely, Fresno, California, reported the highest rate of 8.6%. The specific metropolitan area where unemployment increased the most was Brownsville, Texas, which saw an uptick of 1.5% in unemployment.
In contrast, places like Fort Wayne, Indiana, showcased improvement, with a notable percentage drop of 1.7% in unemployment. Other metropolitan areas, including Lake County, Illinois, and the Chicago, Naperville, Elgin region, also recorded respective decreases of 1.3% and 1%.
Job Growth Insights
The job market dynamics revealed promising trends in employment growth as well. The most significant increases occurred in Camden, New Jersey (3%), Philadelphia (2.8%), and New York, Jersey City, and White Plains, New York (2%). The New York region also added the largest number of new workers, with an impressive count of 129,800 followed by Philadelphia at 28,400.
Nationally, approximately 73,000 nonfarm jobs were added in July, which fell short of forecasts, marking the weakest job growth since 2010. An average of 130,000 jobs were added monthly prior to July, showcasing a downturn from last year’s average of 168,000 jobs per month.
Job Market Challenges Ahead
Economists had anticipated a rise in unemployment rates due to various factors, including fluctuations in job availability. For example, Florida’s jobless rate increased for the first time in about six months, moving to 3.5%, with Miami-Dade County reporting the lowest rate in the state at 2.4%. Meanwhile, Sumter County recorded the highest unemployment rate in Florida at 6.9%.
Conclusion
The latest employment data underscores the complexities of the U.S. labor market, with some areas thriving while others struggle with increased unemployment. As businesses navigate these challenges, understanding localized trends will remain crucial for policymakers and job seekers alike.
FAQ
What is the national unemployment rate as of July?
The national unemployment rate for metropolitan areas is 4.6% as of July, up from 4.4% in June.
Which metropolitan area had the highest unemployment rate?
El Centro, California had the highest unemployment rate at 20.2%.
What metropolitan area enjoyed the lowest unemployment rate?
Rapid City and Sioux Falls in South Dakota recorded the lowest unemployment rates at 1.7%.
How many jobs were added in July?
Approximately 73,000 nonfarm jobs were added in July, which marks the weakest job growth since 2010.
What were the notable improvements in unemployment rates?
Fort Wayne, Indiana, saw the largest percentage drop at 1.7%, followed by Lake County, Illinois (1.3%) and Chicago region (1%).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| National Unemployment Rate | 4.6% as of July |
| Lowest Unemployment Areas | 1.7% in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD |
| Highest Unemployment Area | 20.2% in El Centro, CA |
| Job Growth in July | 73,000 jobs added; weakest growth since 2010 |
| Date | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2023 | National unemployment rate reported | 4.6% (BLS) |
| July 1-31, 2023 | Job growth during the month | 73,000 jobs added |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Texas Nonprofits Face Major Job Cuts Amid Funding Reductions
U.S. Cities Ranked for Affordability for Recent Graduates
Texas Job Market Growth Surges
Texas Economic Growth Takes a Breather
The Current State of the Texas Economy
Texas Job Market Surges with Record Growth
U.S. Equity Futures Surge Ahead of the Earnings Season
San Antonio’s Hemisfair Area Set for Major Transformation
San Antonio Office Space Demand Declines Amid Rising Vacancy Rates
Houston’s Economic Landscape: Insights from 2024
Additional Resources
- Urban Milwaukee
- Wikipedia: Unemployment in the United States
- Velocity OKC
- Google Search: US Unemployment Trends
- 97.7 WMOI
- Google Scholar: US Job Market 2023
- Cape Cod Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Unemployment
- Urban Milwaukee
- Google News: US Employment Statistics
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
