State gains jobs; jobless rate rises

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 5.6 percent in June, although the number of Missourians employed also grew, the Department of Economic Development said Wednesday.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was up three-tenths of a percent from May, meaning about 168,600 Missourians were out of work, the department said.

More than 2.6 million people were employed in non-farm jobs, with a June increase of 4,800 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Since January, Missouri employment has grown by 36,800 jobs.

"We are optimistic about the consistent growth of the labor force since early this year and by the fact Missouri's unemployment rate remains significantly below the national rate," said Joe Driskill, director of the Department of Economic Development. "Relative to many other states, we are definitely seeing positive and exciting trends."

Nationally, June's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4 percent.

On an unadjusted basis, Missouri's unemployment rate climbed nine-tenths of a percent between May and June to 5.8 percent. State officials said the increase reflected seasonal changes the often occur in the summer. The nation's unadjusted unemployment rate was 6.5 percent.

While the leisure and hospitality industries saw an increase of 9,000 jobs in June, the transportation and utility sectors saw a loss of 6,300 jobs.

At 11.9 percent, Pemiscot County had the highest unadjusted unemployment rate of any Missouri county. Nodaway County, at 2.2 percent, had the lowest unemployment rate.

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On the Net

Economic Development Department: www.missouridevelopment.org