Springfield’s unemployment rate drops sharply

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area’s unemployment rate decreased by a full percentage point in September, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The five-county area — comprising Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk and Dallas counties — posted a jobless rate of 2.2% last month. That’s down from 3.2% in August and 2.3% in September 2018, according to a news release.

Unemployment rates dropped in all eight Missouri MSAs.

Missouri’s MSAs, in order of September unemployment rates, are:
• Columbia. 1.7%, down from 2.6% in August;
• Jefferson City, 1.8%, down from 3%;
• St. Joseph, 2.1%, down from 3%;
• Joplin, 2.2%, down from 3.1%;
• Springfield, 2.2%, down from 3.2%;
• Cape Girardeau, 2.4%, down from 3.4%;
• Kansas City, 2.5%, down from 3.3%; and
• St. Louis, 2.6%, down from 3.3%.

Missouri’s unemployment rate in September was 2.4%, compared with 3.4% in August, according to the release. The BLS data is not seasonally adjusted.

Compared with September 2018, unemployment rates last month were lower in 254 of the 389 metro areas measured by the BLS, higher in 104 and unchanged in 31.