Springfield MSA jobless rate drops by 1 percent

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area jobless rate fell a full percentage point in September to 5.3 percent, compared to 6.3 percent in August and 7.5 percent in in September 2011.

According to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Springfield MSA - which comprises Greene, Christian, Webster, Dallas and Polk counties - tied for the fourth lowest unemployment rate among the eight metropolitan areas in Missouri. The Joplin MSA also had a 5.3 percent unemployment rate.

Missouri MSAs, ranked by September unemployment rate:

1. Columbia, 4.2 percent
2. Jefferson City, 4.9 percent
3. St. Joseph, 5 percent
4. Joplin and Springfield, 5.3 percent
5. Cape Girardeau-Jackson, 5.7 percent
6. Kansas City, 6.1 percent
7. St. Louis, 7 percent

Of the 372 metropolitan areas in the country, 345 posted lower unemployment rates in September, 22 had higher jobless rates and five were unchanged, according to the BLS.

Missouri's unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in September, and the U.S. jobless rate came in at 7.8 percent, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.