Springfield MSA unemployment edges down in July

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent in July after registering at 5.7 percent in June.

Last month's unemployment rate in the metro area - comprising Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties - also was improved from 6 percent in July 2013, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

The Springfield MSA registered the third-lowest unemployment rate last month among the eight metro areas in Missouri. July MSA jobless rates throughout the Show-Me State were:

• Columbia, 4.9 percent;
• St. Joseph, 5.5 percent;
• Springfield, 5.6 percent;
• Jefferson City, 5.8 percent;
• Joplin, 6 percent;
• Kansas City, 6.6 percent;
• Cape Girardeau-Jackson, 6.9 percent; and
• St. Louis, 7.1 percent.

Last month, 348 of the 372 metro areas measured by the BLS reported lower unemployment rates than in July 2013, 16 recorded higher rates and eight were flat, according to the release.

Missouri's unemployment rate was flat at 6.5 percent in July, while the U.S. jobless figure increased a tenth of a point to 6.2 percent last month, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.