Jobless rate for Springfield MSA drops in September

The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows unemployment rate decreases across metropolitan areas statewide in September.

Springfield’s metropolitan statistical area – comprising Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster Counties – has a September jobless rate of 3.2%, which was down from 4.2% in August. The BLS said publication of the September data was delayed by more than six weeks due to the federal government shutdown, according to a news release.

The state’s metro areas, by September unemployment, are as follows:

• St. Louis, 3.7%, down from 4.5% in August

• Kansas City, 3.5%, down from 4.3%

• Joplin, 3.4%, down from 4.4%

• St. Joseph, 3.4%, down from 4.5%

• Cape Girardeau, 3.2%, down from 4.3%

• Springfield, 3.2%, down from 4.2%

• Columbia, 2.9%, down from 4.1%

• Jefferson City, 2.8%, down from 3.7%

Missouri’s September unemployment rate was 3.5%, down from 4.5% in August. The BLS data is not seasonally adjusted.

Compared with a year prior, September’s unemployment rates were higher in 275 of the 387 metro areas measured nationwide by the BLS, lower in 83 and unchanged in 29. The Springfield MSA’s September 2024 unemployment rate was 2.7%.