Springfield MSA jobless rate drops six-tenths of a point

Last edited 10:44 a.m., Oct. 2, 2015

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate dropped six-tenths of a point to 4.5 percent in August compared to 5.1 percent in July.

The jobless rate, which is not seasonally adjusted, also was down from 5.3 percent in August 2014, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release. The Springfield MSA comprises Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties.

Last month, Springfield tied with Jefferson City for the second-lowest unemployment rate among the eight Missouri MSAs. The August rates were:
    •    Columbia, 3.7 percent;
    •    Jefferson City, 4.5 percent;
    •    Springfield, 4.5 percent;
    •    Joplin, 4.6 percent;
    •    St. Joseph, 4.9 percent;
    •    Cape Girardeau, 5 percent;
    •    St. Louis, 5.1 percent; and
    •    Kansas City, 5.2 percent.

Of the 387 metro areas measured by the BLS, 365 recorded lower unemployment rates last month compared to August 2014, while 16 were higher and six were unchanged, according to the release.

BLS data indicate the U.S. unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in August, while the Missouri jobless rate was 5.2 percent.