Springfield metro area's unemployment rate drops - Springfield Business Journal

The Springfield metropolitan statistical area's unemployment rate dropped by half a percentage point in September, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Springfield MSA – which comprises Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties – had a September unemployment rate of 3.1%, down from 3.6% in August, according to a news release. The BLS data is not seasonally adjusted. The state's metro areas, by September unemployment rate, are as follows: • Columbia, 2.7%, down from 3.7% in August • Jefferson City, 2.7%, down from 3.3% • Cape Girardeau, 3%, down from 3.6% • Springfield, 3.1%, down from 3.6% • Joplin, 3.3%, down from 3.8% • Kansas City, 3.4%, down from 3.9% • St. Joseph, 3.4%, down from 4% • St. Louis, 3.4%, down from 3.