Springfield MSA unemployment rate ticks up

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area unemployment rate ticked up two-tenths of a point to 5.2 percent in February compared to January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this week.

However, the latest jobless rate for the five-county MSA is down from 6.2 percent in February 2014, according to a news release.

The Springfield MSA tied for the third-lowest rate among Missouri’s eight metro areas. The jobless rate picture in February:

• Columbia, 4.1 percent;
• Joplin, 5 percent;
• Cape Girardeau; 5.2 percent;
• Springfield, 5.2 percent;
• Jefferson City, 5.3 percent;
• St. Joseph, 5.6 percent;
• Kansas City, 5.9 percent; and
• St. Louis; 6 percent.

The BLS reported Missouri’s unemployment rate at 6.3 percent and the U.S. rate at 5.8 percent, not seasonally adjusted, in February.

Of the 387 MSAs measured by the BLS, 366 had lower February unemployment rates than a year earlier, while 18 were higher and three were unchanged, according to the release.

Springfield’s MSA comprises Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties.[[In-content Ad]]