Springfield MSA unemployment drops to 6.6%

Unemployment in the Springfield metropolitan statistical area fell to 6.6 percent in January, three-tenths of a point lower than the same month in 2011.

The Springfield MSA was among 345 of the nation's 372 metropolitan areas to experience year-to-year decreases, while 16 areas reported increases and 11 were unchanged, according to data released March 23 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Springfield MSA's civilian labor force reached 220,900 during January, up from 221,800 a year before, according to a news release.

The Springfield MSA - which comprises Greene, Christian, Webster, Dallas and Polk counties - recorded the fifth-lowest unemployment rate in January among the eight metropolitan areas in Missouri. The Columbia MSA reported the lowest unemployment rate, 4.8 percent, while the Jefferson City MSA came in second at 5.9 percent, the St. Joseph MSA's rate was 6.1 percent, and the Joplin MSA's rate was 6.2 percent. All of Missouri's metropolitan area's experienced year-over-year decreases, except for the St. Louis MSA, which was unchanged at 8.4 percent.

The national unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, was 8.8 percent in January, down from 9.8 percent a year before, according to the release.