Unemployment rates were higher in September than a year earlier in 184 of the 369 metropolitan areas, lower in 154 areas, and unchanged in 31 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported. Thirty-four metropolitan areas registered jobless rates below 3.0 percent, while two areas recorded rates higher than 10.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in September was 4.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted.