Jobless Rate Declines in December

Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December fell to 5.2 percent from 5.6 in November. That’s nearly a full percentage point below the 6 percent rate posted in January of 2005. The State Economic Development Department reports more than 7,600 jobs were created last month. Job gains were spread throughout the economy, with the largest increases in trade, transportation, and utilities, where employment rose by 2,500.