January unemployment up in Springfield, state

The January unemployment rate took a significant increase in the Springfield metropolitan area and statewide, increasing to approach the national level.

The Springfield unemployment rate rose to 9 percent in January, up from 8.5 percent in December, according to information released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the state rate rose to 9.9 percent from 9.3 percent.

The Springfield and state rates are near the national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent.  

Springfield nonfarm payroll totaled 215,900 people in January, up from 214,200 in December but down from 218,100 in January 2009.

In other Missouri metro areas, Joplin's unemployment rate increased to 8.3 percent in January, up from 8 percent in December. Kansas City's rate increased to 9.1 percent from 8.5 percent in December, and the jobless rate in St. Louis hit 10.7 percent, up from 10 percent a month earlier.  

Nationally, unemployment rates increased in January for 363 of the 372 metropolitan areas, with 187 areas reporting jobless rates of at least 10 percent, the BLS reported. The three highest rates were in California - El Centro, at 27.3 percent; Merced, at 21.7 percent; and Yuba City, at 20.8 percent. The lowest rates are in Fargo and Bismarck, N.D., which both recorded unemployment rates of 4.8 percent.[[In-content Ad]]