Highest/Lowest Unemployment Rates For May

Unemployment rates rose in more than two-thirds of U.S. cities last month, evidence that the slowdown in hiring in May was felt nationwide.

Here are the cities with the highest and lowest unemployment rates last month:

Best and Worst Metro areas

Figures are in percentages

Highest unemployment rates May 2012

Yuma, Ariz. 28.9

El Centro, Calif. 26.8

Yuba City, Calif. 17.9

Merced, Calif. 17.3

Modesto, Calif. 15.6

Fresno, Calif. 14.9

Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. 14.8

Visalia-Porterville, Calif. 14.7

Stockton, Calif. 14.5

Madera-Chowchilla, Calif. 14.3

Lowest unemployment rates May 2012

Bismarck, N.D. 2.5

Fargo, N.D. 3.0

Lincoln, Neb. 3.4

Burlington-S. Burlington Vt. 3.5

Iowa City, Iowa 3.6

Grand Forks, N.D. 3.7

Sioux Falls, S.D. 3.8

Midland, Texas 3.8

Ames, Iowa 3.9

Portsmouth, N.H. 4.1