State unemployment rate holds steady in February

Missouri's unemployment rate was unchanged in February compared to the month before, according to data released Monday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The February seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.4 percent, the same as in January and up from 8.5 percent in February 2009. The state unemployment rate has held steady or declined every month since peaking at 9.7 percent in July, according to BLS.

The state reported 280,200 unemployed, down from 282,700 in January and 288,000 in December.

The national unemployment rate was 9.7 percent, also unchanged from January but up from 8.2 percent in February 2009.

Regionally, the Midwest reported unemployment of 10 percent, steady from January and up from 8.6 percent a year ago. The West had the highest unemployment at 10.9 percent, while the Northeast had the lowest rate at 9.1 percent.