Unemployment rates drop across region

Springfield and Joplin both experienced decreases in unemployment rates in March, as did Springfield’s metropolitan area, which includes Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk and Webster counties, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Springfield’s monthly rate was 3.8 percent, down from 4.2 percent in February and 4.7 percent a year ago. City employment – up 3.4 percent from a year ago – has grown more rapidly than Missouri’s seven other metropolitan areas.

Joplin’s March unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, a decrease from 4.6 percent in February and 5.3 percent a year ago. The statewide not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

Within the Springfield metropolitan area, Christian County had the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 3.5 percent, down from 4.3 percent in February.

Dallas County had a rate of 4.9 percent, compared to 5.6 percent a month before; Greene County’s rate was 3.7 percent, a decrease from 4.1 percent in February; Polk County had a rate of 4 percent, compared to 4.4 percent the previous month; and Webster County’s rate was 3.9 percent, down from 4.2 percent.

Branson, where unemployment is often higher than other areas because of seasonal jobs, had a rate of 9.4 percent in March, down from 16.4 percent in February and 13.6 percent a year ago.

Missouri has created 47,000 jobs since January 2005.