Unemployment rate rises in Springfield metro area

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area's unemployment rate rose in July, according to the latest data from the federal government.

The Springfield MSA – which comprises Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties – recorded a 4% unemployment rate, up from 3.8% in June, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

All of the metro areas statewide had month-over-month increases, the data shows.

The state’s metro areas, by July unemployment rate, are as follows:
• Columbia, 4%, up from 3.6% in June
• Jefferson City, 4%, up from 3.7%
• Springfield, 4%, up from 3.8%
• Kansas City, 4.3%, up from 3.9%
• St. Joseph, 4.4%, up from 4.1%
• St. Louis, 4.6%, up from 4.3%
• Joplin, 4.7%, up from 4.4%
• Cape Girardeau, 4.9%, up from 4.3%

Missouri's July unemployment rate increased to 4.6% from 4.2% in June, according to the release. The data is not seasonally adjusted.

Compared with a year prior, July's unemployment rates were higher in 350 of the 389 metro areas measured nationwide by the BLS, lower in 22 and unchanged in 17. The Springfield MSA's July 2023 unemployment rate was 2.7%.