According to the latest figures released today from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Michigan and Indiana accounted for half of the 10 metros to see the biggest year-over-year decreases in unemployment in July. Rockford, Ill., posted the biggest drop, 3.3 percent, to a rate of 12.1 percent. Eight out of the 10 metros to see the biggest improvements still had rates higher than the national rate in July.
Top 10 Metros with Largest Percentage Drops in Unemployment Rate (July 2011 vs. July 2010)
| July 2010 |
July 2011 (preliminary) | |||
| Rank | Metropolitan Area | Rate | Rate | Change |
| United States | 9.7 | 9.3 | -0.4 | |
| 1 | Rockford, Ill. | 15.4 | 12.1 | -3.3 |
| 2 | Steubenville-Weirton, Ohio-W.Va. | 13.5 | 10.5 | -3 |
| 3 | Farmington, N.M. | 10.6 | 7.8 | -2.8 |
| 3 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, Mich. | 14 | 11.2 | -2.8 |
| 5 | Holland-Grand Haven, Minn. | 11.6 | 9 | -2.6 |
| 5 | Jackson, Mich. | 13.6 | 11 | -2.6 |
| 7 | Monroe, Minn. | 13.6 | 11.1 | -2.5 |
| 8 | Elkhart-Goshen, Ind. | 13 | 10.6 | -2.4 |
| 9 | Kokomo, Ind. | 12 | 9.7 | -2.3 |
| 10 | Kalamazoo-Portage, Mich. | 11.7 | 9.5 | -2.2 |
Source: BLS. Data not seasonally adjusted.
Related articles:
- Top 10 Lowest Metro Unemployment Rates
- Top 10 Highest Metro Unemployment Rates
- Top 10 Metros with Highest Percentage Gains in Unemployment Rate (July 2011 vs. July 2010)
- State Unemployment Rates (lowest to highest)
Read the full report:
Unemployment rate drops in nearly 7 of 10 U.S. metros
