BLS: Iowa City had lowest jobless rate among 369 metro areas

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Iowa City and Midland, Texas, tied with 2.6 percent March unemployment rate.

More from Bureau of Labor Statistics release:

Unemployment rates were higher in March than a year earlier in 309 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 40 areas, and unchanged in 20 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today ... The national unemployment rate in March was 5.2 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from 4.5 percent a year earlier. ...In March, 45 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 26 areas a year earlier, while 69 areas recorded rates below 4.0 percent, down from 128 areas in March 2007. Two agricultural areas in California again registered the highest rates in March: El Centro, 16.4 percent, and Merced, 13.7 percent.

In March, 45 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates of at least 7.0 percent, up from 26 areas a year earlier, while 69 areas recorded rates below 4.0 percent, down from 128 areas in March 2007. Two agricultural areas in California again registered the highest rates in March: El Centro, 16.4 percent, and Merced, 13.7 percent. Iowa City, Iowa, and Midland, Texas, posted the lowest jobless rates, 2.6 percent each. Overall, 193 areas recorded unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 5.2 percent, 163 areas had higher rates, and 13 areas had the same rate. ...

More about Iowa City area's low unemployment rates from this recent Gazette article, Manufacturing gains help steady cooling Iowa job market.