Springfield metro area unemployment rises

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area's unemployment rate rose alongside the rest of the state's MSAs during March, according to the latest data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Springfield MSA's jobless rate last month was 3.9%, an increase from 3.2% in February, according to a news release. The local MSA comprises Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk and Dallas counties.

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis data show the Springfield MSA’s unemployment rate has not been this high since early 2017. However, it’s well below the most recent peak during the Great Recession.

The number of unemployed residents in the Springfield metro area rose 21% to 9,235 in March compared with February, according to the BLS.

Missouri’s MSAs, in order of March unemployment rates, are:
• Columbia, 3%, up from 2.5% in February;
• Jefferson City, 3.6%, up from 3.1%;
• Kansas City, 3.9%, up from 3.4%;
• Springfield, 3.9%, up from 3.2%;
• St. Louis, 4%, up from 3.3%;
• Joplin, 4.1%, up from 3.2%;
• St. Joseph, 4.1%, up from 3.6%; and
• Cape Girardeau, 4.3%, up from 3.4%.

Missouri's unemployment rate in March increased to 4.5% from 3.7% in February, according to the BLS data that's not seasonally adjusted.

Compared with March 2019, unemployment rates last month were higher in 253 of the 389 MSAs measured by the BLS, lower in 123 and unchanged in 13, according to the release.

BLS officials said the coronavirus pandemic impacted March figures, though the survey period mostly predated business and school closures.

"However, it is clear that the decreases in employment and hours and the increases in unemployment can be ascribed to effects of the illness and efforts to contain the virus," officials said in the release.