Springfield metro unemployment rate rises

In line with the other major cities in the Show-Me State, the Springfield metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate rose in January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The 3.9 percent jobless rate - which was not seasonally adjusted - was up from 3.4 percent in December but down from 4.9 percent in January 2015, according to a news release. The MSA comprises Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties.

In January, Springfield posted the fourth-lowest unemployment rate among the eight Missouri MSAs. The Show-Me State metro jobless rates were:
    •    Columbia, 3.2 percent;
    •    Joplin, 3.7 percent;
    •    Jefferson City, 3.8 percent;
    •    Springfield, 3.9 percent;
    •    St. Joseph, 4.2 percent;
    •    Kansas City, 4.4 percent;
    •    Cape Girardeau, 4.5 percent; and
    •    St. Louis, 5.2 percent.

Of the 387 metro areas measured by the BLS, 333 posted lower unemployment rates in January compared to a year earlier, while 43 were higher and 11 were unchanged, according to the release.

The BLS reported Missouri’s unemployment rate at 4.7 percent and the U.S. jobless rate at 5.3 percent in January.