Springfield MSA jobless rate increase continues

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area’s unemployment rate increased for the second straight month.

The five-county metro area’s jobless rate moved to 4.2 percent in February, up from 3.9 percent in January and 3.4 percent in December, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release. The MSA comprises Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties.

Springfield wasn’t alone. All eight of Missouri’s metro areas recorded increases in February compared to January.

February jobless rates in the Show-Me State were:
    •    Columbia, 3.4 percent;
    •    Joplin, 4.1 percent;
    •    Jefferson City, 4.2 percent;
    •    Springfield, 4.2 percent;
    •    Kansas City, 4.5 percent;
    •    St. Joseph, 4.5 percent;
    •    Cape Girardeau, 4.8 percent; and
    •    St. Louis, 5.2 percent.

Missouri’s unemployment rate in February was 5 percent, while the national average was 5.2 percent, according to the BLS.

Of the 387 metro areas measured by the BLS, 296 reported lower unemployment rates in February compared to a year earlier, 76 were higher and 15 were unchanged. Springfield’s February 2015 rate was 5 percent, according to the release.