/ Source: The Associated Press
Unemployment rates fell in a majority of U.S. cities in July, despite a weak economy that is producing few jobs. The Labor Department said Wednesday that unemployment rates dropped in 193 large metro areas, increased in 118 and were flat in 61.
Below are the cities with the highest and lowest unemployment rates:
| Best and Worst Metro areas | |
| Figures are in percentages | |
| Highest unemployment rates | July 2011 |
| El Centro, Calif. | 30.8 |
| Yuma, Ariz. | 30.0 |
| Yuba City, Calif. | 18.7 |
| Merced, Calif. | 18.7 |
| Stockton, Calif. | 17.5 |
| Modesto, Calif. | 17.5 |
| Fresno, Calif. | 16.7 |
| Visalia-Porterville, Calif. | 16.6 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. | 16.1 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, Calif. | 15.5 |
| Lowest unemployment rates | July 2011 |
| Bismarck, ND | 3.0 |
| Fargo, N.D. | 3.7 |
| Lincoln, Neb. | 3.8 |
| Sioux Falls, S.D. | 4.2 |
| Rapid City, S.D. | 4.3 |
| Grand Forks, N.D. | 4.7 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb. | 4.7 |
| Portsmouth, N.H. | 4.7 |
| Burlington, Vt. | 4.8 |
| Iowa City, Iowa | 4.9 |
