Queen City unemployment rate ticks down

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a point to 3.8 percent in October, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The latest rate also is down from 4.1 percent in October 2014, according to a news release.

During October, Springfield tied with the Joplin metro area for the third-lowest jobless rate among Missouri’s eight MSAs. October’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates in the Show-Me State are:
    •    Columbia, 2.9 percent;
    •    Jefferson City, 3.5 percent;
    •    Joplin, 3.8 percent;
    •    Springfield, 3.8 percent;
    •    St. Joseph, 4.1 percent;
    •    Cape Girardeau, 4.2 percent;
    •    Kansas City, 4.2 percent; and
    •    St. Louis, 4.6 percent.

Missouri’s not seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, while the U.S. rate was 4.8 percent, according to the BLS.

Of the 387 metropolitan areas in the country, 337 reported lower unemployment rates in October compared to the same month of 2014, 38 recorded higher rates and 12 were unchanged.