Unemployment rates fall in 95 pct. of US cities
WASHINGTON (AP) — Unemployment rates fell in nearly all large U.S. cities in September from August, a sign that recent jobs gains have been widespread.
The Labor Department said Tuesday that rates declined in 355 of the 372 metro areas, the most since April. The report also shows that nearly half of cities now have unemployment rates below 7 percent.
And the number of areas with unemployment rates above 10 percent dropped to 35. That’s down from 84 a year ago.
Rates rose in September in only 11 cities and were unchanged in six.
Nationwide, the unemployment rate fell to 7.8 percent in September. It was the first time the rate has fallen below 8 percent since January 2009 — President Barack Obama’s first month in office.
Unlike the national numbers, the metro rates aren’t adjusted for seasonal patterns. Much of the decline likely reflects school-related employees, such as bus drivers and cafeteria workers, who returned to work.
The report on local unemployment rates comes a week before the presidential election. Many hard-hit cities in key swing states have seen their rates drop in the past year, although some still have rates well above the national level.
For example, the unemployment rate in Las Vegas was 11.5 percent last month. That’s down from 14 percent a year ago.
In the Miami metro area, the rate fell to 8.4 percent last month, from 10.4 percent a year earlier.
Still, other cities that could help decide the election have much lower unemployment.
The rate in the Cleveland metro area was 6.5 percent last month. It has fallen by a full percentage point in the past year.
In the Milwaukee metro area, the unemployment rate dropped to 6.9 percent, from 7.6 percent a year ago.
Some swing states have long had unemployment rates well below the national average. In Des Moines, Iowa, the rate dropped to 4.5 percent from 5.6 percent a year ago. And rates in most cities in Virginia and New Hampshire are also well below the national average.
The national unemployment rate fell in September because of a big jump in the number of people who said they had jobs. Most of those jobs were part time.
The rate has also fallen in previous months because many of those out of work have stopped looking for jobs and are no longer counted in the unemployment rate. If someone without a job isn’t actively searching for work, they aren’t included in the unemployment rate.
Oct 31, 2012 at 11:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
carlitosway, you are very funny.
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Shopierehuh, teams is a very good word to represent how people react in the political world it is no different than Packer vs Bear fans.
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
Agree with Shopierehuh and Eagle1: Read the whole story instead of just the headline .. Do not think the POTUS made it turn into another school year. The October Surprise will, I think, turn into being Hurricane Sandy. Do not think the POTUS made that happen again. However, it does put him in a great position show compassion, leadership, photo-ops, telivision coverage, etc. And no way Romney could stay out on the campaign trail without being crucified by the Obama campaign. Actually think he should have and said that the government has this under control as best they can and little more he can do other than make a gesture. He may have been better served by continuing to state his case of how he can help the country improve in the next four years and for our following generations.
So I am sure the Democratic campaign will sieze on the title and just the pieces that play to their story. Just like they did with the "let Detroit go bankrupt" (not a Romney statement but an editor's headline to draw readers in to article). Romney proposed a managed bankruptcy with some government guarantees. But then you would have to read the entire article to see that. Similar to the "government bailout" of Chrysler so many years ago. In that bailout, Chrysler never got a dime of taxpayer money .... paid the government millions for them to guarantee private loans. So either party siezes on the quotes / statistics that play to their game and ignore or modify the rest. Glad the POTUS stayed in D.C. to monitor the storm but still want to know why he did not stay there the day after our people were killed at the embassy and try to straighten out the fog of war. Still waiting. Sure we may find something out after the election like we did with Nixon and Watergate
Oct 31, 2012 at 7:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
And what did the President do to assist this in happening? Just like what did Clinton or Reagan do to make a good economy during their presidencies? A simple lesson in economics will show anyone that the economy is cyclical and this latest downturn had to do more with global forces and government intervention. That being said the best thing any politician can do for the economy is get the hell out of the way. So I will ask again what did President Obama do to lower unemployment? Keep in mind how the unemployment numbers are compiled before you answer, at least if you are honest anyway.
Oct 31, 2012 at 6:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
RETIREDAIRFORCE - Gee I wonder why - I'll bet it is some kind of secret agent plot. Maybe the MoRmoN MaGiC UnDeRwEaR have powers that are not working to help Mitt. The Mormon Magic Underwear worn by Mitt are "are a reminder of the Covenants made in TEMPLE CEREMONIES and are seen as either a symbolic or literal source of protection from the evils of the world" -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garm...
I think the flight suit you wear RETIREDAIRFORCE shows more maturity than the magic underwear - I commend you.
Political Humor -Romney magic underwear cartoon
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/polit...
Oct 30, 2012 at 10:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
So another story about last months numbers ahead of unreleased numbers for this Friday? Wonder why the AP keeps ignoring the labor force participation rate problems...
Oct 30, 2012 at 9:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
Gotta love the righties responses to this. I wonder what their response will be next Tuesday when the President wins re-election? LOLOLOL
Oct 30, 2012 at 9:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
THIS IS GREAT NEWS AND THOSE THAT DO NOT SEE IT AS THAT. ARE NOTHING BUT RIGHT WING UNINFORMED OR JUST PLAIN BLIND,DEAF, AND DUMB.
Oct 30, 2012 at 9:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
Again the right wingers cannot handle the truth WAKE UP AND SEE THE TRUTH OTHER THEN FOX NEWS. YOU MIGHT JUST LEARN SOMETHING THAT IS FACT NOT LIE AFTER LIE
Oct 30, 2012 at 8:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
It's crap that they don't count all the people who's benefits have run out!
Oct 30, 2012 at 8:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
"The national unemployment rate fell in September because of a big jump in the number of people who said they had jobs. Most of those jobs were part time." -from the article.
"The rate has also fallen in previous months because many of those out of work have stopped looking for jobs and are no longer counted in the unemployment rate. If someone without a job isn’t actively searching for work, they aren’t included in the unemployment rate." -from the article.
Before you start rooting and tooting for your "teams", you might want to read more than just the headline.
Oct 30, 2012 at 7:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
If Obama could skew unemployment numbers in his favor, wouldn't he of started when it was above 8%?
And MissScarlet, did you read the article? This is nationwide, not only in Wisconsin.
Oct 30, 2012 at 7:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
MissScarlett, Aren't you going to thank Scotty for the remaining 95% of the cities, also?
Oct 30, 2012 at 7:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
These numbers are as real as walkers were.
Oct 30, 2012 at 6:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thank you Governor Scott Walker for making Wisconsin open for business and allowing the unemployment rate to drop.
Oct 30, 2012 at 6:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
No, really, they did, unemployment numbers dropped. These incredibly manipulated statistics have NOTHING to do with my election in 7 days. - Signed, Mr. President
Oct 30, 2012 at 5:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Let the political posturing begin!!!!!!
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.