Area unemployment improves to 7.7%

The Springfield-area unemployment rate improved to 7.7 percent in July, compared to 8.1 percent a month earlier, according to U.S. Department of Labor preliminary data released today. The current rate also is lower than the 8.9 percent unemployment recorded a year ago in the Springfield metropolitan statistical area.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report, 17,200 people were unemployed last month out of the Springfield MSA’s July civilian labor force of 222,600. The labor force was down by 2,200 workers from June.

The Springfield MSA’s lower unemployment rate followed the trend of 257 of the 372 metropolitan areas tracked by the BLS. The unemployment rate was higher in 94 MSAs and unchanged in 21 areas, as the national unemployment rate in July settled at 9.3 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 9.7 percent a year earlier, the BLS said.

Missouri’s July unemployment rate was 8.6 percent, compared to 9.7 percent a year ago and 9 percent in June.

The July unemployment rate breakdown by MSAs statewide:

• Columbia, 6 percent;
• Jefferson City, 7 percent;
• Springfield and Cape Girardeau-Jackson, 7.7 percent each;
• St. Joseph, 7.9 percent;
• Joplin, 8.4 percent;
• Kansas City, 8.5 percent; and
• St. Louis, 8.8 percent.