Springfield MSA records 8.2% unemployment in August

The Springfield-area unemployment rate rose to 8.2 percent in August, compared to 7.7 percent the month earlier, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Year-to-year, the August jobless rate has improved, compared to 8.9 percent unemployment in the Springfield metropolitan statistical area in August 2010.

The BLS report released today said there were 18,000 people unemployed last month out of the five-county civilian labor force of 219,400. The area labor force was up by 3,000 people from July.

Nationwide, unemployment settled at 9.1 percent, not seasonally adjusted, while Missouri posted an 8.9 percent jobless rate in August, up from 9.6 percent a year ago. The state rate fell from 8.6 percent in July.

The Springfield area was among 262 MSAs that reported lower unemployment rates compared to the prior year. Last month, 100 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10 percent, down from 119 areas a year earlier, while 74 areas posted rates below 7 percent, up from 55 areas in August 2010, according to the BLS.

The August unemployment rate breakdown by MSAs statewide:

• Columbia, 6.7 percent;
• Jefferson City, 7.3 percent;
• Cape Girardeau-Jackson, 8 percent;
• Springfield, 8.2 percent;
• St. Joseph, 8.5 percent;
• Joplin, 8.5 percent;
• Kansas City, 8.7 percent; and
• St. Louis, 9.1 percent.

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