Springfield metro unemployment rate falls

The metro area’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4 percent from 3.7 percent in November and 3.6 percent in December 2005.

In Greene County, the unemployment rate dropped four-tenths of a point to 3.2 percent; Christian County fell three-tenths of a point to 3.1 percent; Dallas County rose to 5.3 percent from 5 percent; Polk County dropped to 3.8 percent from 4 percent; and Webster County climbed four-tenths of a point to 4.1 percent.

The metro area saw employment reach 215,094 jobs in December, making up 96.6 percent of its labor force of 222,556. Employment was up about 500 jobs from November.

Missouri’s unemployment was 4.6 percent in December; the national rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent.