Springfield metro unemployment climbs in August

The Springfield metro reported nonseasonally adjusted unemployment at 5.3 percent, up from 4.2 percent in August 2007, though unchanged from July 2008. The labor force numbered 220,000 jobs – relatively unchanged from August 2007, but approximately 4,600 fewer jobs than in July 2008.

Overall, unemployment rates were higher in August than a year ago in 354 of the 369 metropolitan areas in the U.S. For the month, 89 metros reported jobless rates of at least 7 percent, up from 19 areas a year ago; 11 metros reported unemployment rates of at least 10 percent; and 34 areas posted unemployment rates below 4 percent, compared to 119 metros in August 2007.

The national unemployment rate in August was 6.1 percent, compared to 4.6 percent a year earlier.