Unemployment rate worsens in 363 of the 369 Metropolitan Areas

According to the the Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment rates rose in 363 of the 369 metropolitan areas when you compare December 2008 to December 2007. Only 5 areas had declines in the unemployment rate (and one area stayed the same). Forty areas have unemployment rates over 10%.

El Centro, California had the nations highest rate of unemployment---22.6%. Followed by Merced, California at 15.4%, Yuma, Arizona (15.4%) and Elkhart-Goshen, Indiana at 15.3% .