Unemployment rates rise across Mo.

All eight of Missouri’s metropolitan statistical area’s recorded an increase in unemployment rates during June, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Springfield MSA - comprising Greene, Christian, Dallas, Polk and Webster counties - posted a jobless rate last month of 4.4 percent, which was up a full percentage point from May, according to a news release.

The Show-Me State’s metro-area June jobless rates, compared with May, are:
    •    Columbia, 3.9 percent from 2.7 percent;
    •    Jefferson City, 4.4 percent from 3.4 percent;
    •    Springfield, 4.4 percent from 3.4 percent;
    •    Kansas City, 4.5 percent from 4.1 percent;
    •    St. Joseph, 4.5 percent from 3.6 percent;
    •    Joplin, 4.8 percent from 3.7 percent;
    •    St. Louis, 4.9 percent from 4.2 percent; and
    •    Cape Girardeau, 5.2 percent from 4.1 percent.

Missouri’s unemployment rate increased to 4.9 percent in June from 4 percent in May, equaling the U.S. rate which inched up from 4.7 percent, according to the BLS. The data is not seasonally adjusted.

Of the 387 metro areas measured by the BLS, 285 reported lower June employment rates than a year earlier, 75 were higher and 27 were unchanged, according to the release. In Missouri, Cape Girardeau had a higher unemployment rates last month compared with June 2015.