Mo. unemployment rate falls to lowest point since 2007

Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September dropped three-tenths of a point to 5.3 percent - the lowest rate since August 2007

Despite the jobless rate decrease, nonfarm payroll employment last month fell by 16,500 jobs, largely in local municipalities, according to a Missouri Department of Economic Development news release

Increases were led by the following industries:
    •    retail trade, 3,200 jobs;
    •    durable goods manufacturing, 3,000; and
    •    art, entertainment and recreation, 2,100.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nonseasonally adjusted unemployment rate nationwide was 5.1 percent in September and the Springfield metropolitan statistical area rate was 4.5 percent in August.