Area June jobless rate improves to 6.2%

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate dropped a tenth of a point to 6.2 percent in June, not seasonally adjusted, compared to 6.3 percent in May, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Springfield MSA jobless rate also was down from 8.1 percent in June 2011. The MSA comprises Greene, Christian, Webster, Dallas and Polk counties.

The jobless rate for the Springfield MSA was lower than Missouri's June unemployment rate of 7 percent. However, four of the eight MSAs in the state had lower rates:

• Columbia, 4.9 percent;
• Jefferson City, 5.6 percent;
• St. Joseph, 5.7 percent; and
• Joplin, 6.1 percent.

Averaging above the Springfield MSA was the Cape Girardeau-Jackson MSA, 6.7 percent; the Kansas City MSA, 6.8 percent; and the St. Louis MSA, 7.6 percent, according to a news release.

The national unemployment rate in June was 8.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted.

In the U.S., unemployment rates were lower in June than a year ago in 328 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 32 areas and unchanged in 12 areas, the release said.