The Des Moines metro unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Des Moines-West Des Moines MSA had an unemployment rate of 1.9 percent in October, down from 2.2 percent in October 2017. Des Moines was among just 13 metros nationally with an unemployment rate below 2 percent; five of those cities are in Iowa. According to the BLS, jobless rates were lower in October than a year earlier in 70 percent (272) of the 388 metropolitan areas, while 24 percent (95) were higher and the remaining 21 metros were unchanged. Nonfarm payroll employment was up in 56 metropolitan areas over the year and essentially unchanged in 332 metros.