Springfield MSA jobless rate drops by full percentage point

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area's unemployment rate dropped by a full percentage point in July compared with June, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The MSA comprising Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk and Dallas counties recorded a July jobless rate of 6.3%, down from 7.3% in June, according to a news release.

All but one of Missouri’s eight metro areas posted unemployment rate decreases in July. The BLS data is not seasonally adjusted.

Missouri’s MSAs, in order of July unemployment rates, are:
• Columbia, 5.1%, down from 5.7% in June;
• St. Joseph, 5.5%, down from 5.8%;
• Jefferson City, 5.6%, up from 5.5%;
• Springfield, 6.3%, down from 7.3%;
• Cape Girardeau, 6.5%, down from 7.1%;
• Joplin, 6.6%, down from 7.2%;
• Kansas City, 7.6%, down from 7.8%; and
• St. Louis, 8.2%, down from 9.7%.

Missouri's unemployment rate in July was 7.2%, a dip from 7.9% in June, according to the release.

July unemployment rates were higher in all 389 metro areas measured by the BLS compared with a year earlier.