Unemployment rate drops in Springfield metro area

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area’s unemployment rate improved to 2.9 percent in September from 3.6 percent in August, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

All eight Missouri metro areas posted statistical decreases during September. The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.3 percent from 4.2 percent in August, according to a news release.

The Springfield MSA comprising Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk and Dallas counties had the third-lowest unemployment rate among other Missouri metro areas in September.

Missouri’s MSAs, in order of unemployment rates recorded in September, are:
    •    Columbia, 2.3 percent, down from 2.9 percent;
    •    Jefferson City, 2.8 percent, down from 3.8 percent;
    •    Springfield, 2.9 percent, down from 3.6 percent;
    •    Joplin, 3.1 percent, down from 3.8 percent;
    •    St. Joseph, 3.1 percent, down from 3.8 percent;
    •    Kansas City, 3.4 percent, down from 4.4 percent;
    •    St. Louis, 3.5 percent, down from 4.1 percent; and
    •    Cape Girardeau, 3.6 percent, down from 4.2 percent.

Compared with the same month last year, September unemployment rates were lower in 345 of the 388 U.S. metro areas measured by the BLS, higher in 33 and unchanged in 10, according to the release.