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Springfield metro area jobless rate drops below 2%

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The Springfield metropolitan statistical area’s unemployment rate dropped below 2 percent in October, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The five-county area posted a jobless rate of 1.9 percent, down a full percentage point from September 2017 and from 3.6 percent in October 2016, according to a news release.

Comprising Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk and Dallas counties, the Springfield MSA ranked third among the eight Show-Me State metro areas last month.

Missouri’s MSAs, in order of unemployment rates recorded in October, are:
    •    Columbia, 1.5 percent, down from 2.3 percent;
    •    Jefferson City, 1.8 percent, down from 2.8 percent;
    •    Springfield, 1.9 percent, down from 3.4 percent;
    •    Joplin, 2.1 percent, down from 3.1 percent;
    •    St. Joseph, 2.3 percent, down from 3.1 percent;
    •    Cape Girardeau, 2.5 percent, down from 3.6 percent;
    •    St. Louis, 2.7 percent, down from 3.4 percent; and
    •    Kansas City, 3.2 percent, down from 3.4 percent.

Compared with October 2016, last month’s unemployment rates were lower in 341 of the 388 metro areas measured nationwide by the BLS, higher in 33 and unchanged in 14, according to the release.

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Jconleymo

I think these numbers are based on people applying for unemployment and not a true indication of joblessness. More smoke and mirrors that we see from the government. This should be more a sign of trouble than of times are getting better. I would love to see real numbers on joblessness in SW Missouri. And there are jobs available out there. Maybe not the job a person wants but a job.

Thursday, November 30, 2017
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