Springfield MSA jobless rate ticks down

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate ticked down a tenth of a point in September to 5.1 percent compared to August.

However, last month’s jobless rate was flat from September 2013, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

The Springfield MSA - which comprises Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties - tied for third last month for the lowest unemployment rate in the state among the eight metro areas measured by the BLS. September unemployment rates in the MSAs were:

• Columbia, 4.1 percent;
• St. Joseph, 4.9 percent;
• Jefferson City, 5.1 percent;
• Joplin, 5.1 percent;
• Springfield, 5.1 percent;
• Cape Girardeau-Jackson, 5.7 percent;
• Kansas City, 6 percent; and
• St. Louis, 6.3 percent.

Across the nation, unemployment rates dipped in September in 339 of the 372 metro areas, increased in 26 and was unchanged in seven, according to the release.

In September, the Missouri unemployment rate was 6.3 percent, while the U.S. rate was 5.9 percent, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.