Both Missouri and Springfield unemployment rates dropped in October, according to the latest metropolitan area employment statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Springfield MSA's nonfarm, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has dropped two-tenths of a point to 8 percent, compared to 8.2 percent in September. The unemployment rate was 8.6 percent in October 2009.
Overall, approximately 17,400 people were unemployed in October in the Springfield MSA.
Missouri had an 8.8 percent unemployment rate in its eight metropolitan statistical areas, a decrease of three-tenths of a point from the September unemployment rate of 9.1 percent. The unemployment average for Missouri's MSAs was 9.3 percent in October 2009.
Approximately 264,400 people were unemployed in Missouri's MSAs during October, according to the BLS.
The national unemployment rate in metropolitan areas was 9 percent in October, compared to 9.5 percent in the same month last year.
The November metropolitan area employment statistics are scheduled to be released on Jan. 4.[[In-content Ad]]