Springfield MSA unemployment decreases

The unemployment rate in the Springfield metropolitan statistical area decreased two-tenths of a point to 5.5 percent in November, compared to 5.7 percent in October.

The most recent jobless rate for the MSA also showed a marked decrease from the November 2011 unemployment rate of 6.8 percent, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

The Springfield MSA - comprising Greene, Christian, Webster, Dallas and Polk counties - had the fifth-highest jobless rate in November among the eight metropolitan areas in Missouri. At 4.3 percent, the Columbia MSA had the lowest rate, followed by:

• Jefferson City, 5 percent;
• St. Joseph, 5.2 percent;
• Joplin, 5.4 percent;
• Springfield. 5.5 percent;
• Kansas City, 6.1 percent;
• Cape Girardeau-Jackson, 6.4 percent; and
• St. Louis, 6.9 percent.

Unemployment in November fell in 322 of the country's 372 metropolitan areas compared to the same month a year ago. The jobless rate was higher in 36 areas and unchanged in 14, according to the release.