In line with state, Springfield MSA unemployment rate worsens

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area’s July unemployment rate followed the trend experienced by all other MSAs statewide: It got worse.

The Springfield metro area — comprising Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk and Dallas counties — posted a 3.1 percent unemployment rate in July, up from 3 percent in June, according to a news release.

Still, the Springfield metro area had the second-lowest unemployment rate among the eight MSAs statewide measured by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The MSAs, in order of July unemployment rates, are:
    •    Columbia, 2.9 percent, up from 2.6 percent in June;
    •    Springfield, 3.1 percent, up from 3 percent;
    •    Jefferson City, 3.2 percent, up from 2.9 percent;
    •    St. Joseph, 3.4 percent, up from 3.1 percent;
    •    Joplin, 3.5 percent, up from 3.2 percent;
    •    Cape Girardeau, 3.7 percent, up from 3.5 percent;
    •    St. Louis, 3.8 percent, up from 3.6 percent; and
    •    Kansas City, 3.9 percent, up from 3.5 percent.

Missouri’s unemployment rate in July was 3.8 percent, an increase from 3.5 percent in June. The BLS data, according to the release, is not seasonally adjusted.

Compared with the same month of 2017, July unemployment rates were lower in 323 of the 388 metro areas measured by the BLS, higher in 41 and unchanged in 24.