Area Development
In its November 2010 Progress Report, Garner Economics finds the growth of the labor market to have slowed since September. As of that month, 168 metros added employees. That figure gained only one metro from the previous month, and six from July. About half of metros have the same number or fewer workers than they did a year ago.

Most of the growing metros are located in the eastern half of the country. Texas has the most growing metros, with 23 adding jobs. New York follows with nine metros. Other top growing metros include Binghamton, New York and Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Washington.

But some areas still struggle. Elkhart-Goshen, Indiana, is 31.5 percent below prior peak employment levels. And San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, California, is 9.4 percent under its peak. California has the most metros farthest from pre-recession peaks, with 17, followed by Florida, with 15.