Missouri unemployment rate rises to 6.6 percent in August

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri's unemployment rate continued to rise in August, though the state showed growth in the total number of jobs.

U.S. Department of Labor statistics released Friday show Missouri's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.6 percent last month — up 0.2 percentage points from July, when the state set a 17-year high.

Missouri's unemployment rate now is at its highest level since June 1991.

Overall nonfarm employment rose by 3,000 jobs in August, mainly because of a 5,800 job increase in the government sector that includes public schools.

Manufacturing jobs declined by 3,700 in August.

Compared with August 2007, Missouri employment was down by 16,900 jobs.