N.D. cities have lowest unemployment

Unemployment rates declined last month in more than half of the 372 largest U.S. cities, further evidence of steady improvement in the job market.

The Labor Department says rates fell in 201 metro areas. They rose in 116 and were unchanged in 55. The number of cities with unemployment below 7 percent rose to 180 last month, up from 107 a year ago.

Here are the 10 cities with the highest unemployment and the 10 with the lowest:

Best and Worst Metro areas

Figures are in percentages

Highest unemployment rates Oct. 2012

Yuma, Ariz. 29.8

El Centro, Calif. 28.1

Yuba City, Calif. 15.3

Merced, Calif. 14.7

Visalia-Porterville, Calif. 14.4

Modesto, Calif. 13.9

Fresno, Calif. 13.9

Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. 13.9

Stockton, Calif. 13.6

Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, N.J. 13.3

Lowest unemployment rates Oct. 2012

Bismarck, N.D. 2.2

Fargo, N.D. 2.8

Grand Forks, N.D. 3.1

Lincoln, Neb. 3.2

Midland, Texas 3.3

Iowa City, Iowa 3.4

Ames, Iowa 3.4

Sioux Falls, S.D. 3.7

Burlington-South Burlington, Vt. 3.8

Logan, Utah 3.8

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