California City Continues to Hold Highest Unemployment Rate in the Country

El Centro, California, posted a 27.9 percent jobless rate in April, according to a government statistical office.

At 27.9 percent, El Centro, California, was the city with the highest unemployment rate in the country in April, according to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This isn't the first appearance at No. 1 for the city, which was followed by Yuma, Arizona's rate of 24.4 percent. Of the 14 metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of at least 15 percent, 11 were located in California.

Areas that face high unemployment rates also may see an increase in the number of people filing for bankruptcy, as joblessness leads to difficulties paying off debt. Foreclosure is also an issue for these areas, as home values plummet, leaving many owners underwater on their mortgages.

Overall, the BLS said 128 metropolitan areas saw unemployment rates of at least 10 percent during the fourth month of the year. This is up from the 91 metro areas that held the same claim in April 2009.