U.S. cities see higher jobless rate

Unemployment rates were higher in December than a year earlier in 371 of the 372 metropolitan areas and lower in one area, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported yesterday.

Nineteen areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15 percent, while 10 areas registered rates below 5 percent.

Among the 369 metropolitan areas for which nonfarm payroll employment were available, 356 areas reported over-the-year decreases in employment, 12 reported increases and one remained unchanged.