Springfield MSA unemployment rate continues to rise

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate continued its upward movement in February, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The jobless rate for the five-county MSA rose to 6.1 percent during the month, up from 5.5 percent in January and 4.7 percent in December. The Springfield metro area's February unemployment rate was down slightly year-to-year from its 6.2 percent rate in February 2013, according to a news release.

All eight MSAs measured by the BLS recorded unemployment bumps from January. The metro area's unemployment rates in February were:

• Columbia, 5.2 percent;
• Joplin, 6.1 percent;
• Springfield, 6.1 percent;
• St. Joseph, 6.4 percent;
• Jefferson City, 6.9 percent;
• Kansas City, 6.9 percent;
• Cape Girardeau-Jackson, 7.6 percent; and
• St. Louis, 8.2 percent.

During February, unemployment rates were lower year-to-year in 338 of the 372 metro areas measured by the BLS, higher in 25 and unchanged in nine, according to the release.