Jobless rate down in September

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4 percent in September, but officials said Thursday any impact from the Sept. 11 attacks has yet to be felt.

Missouri's jobless rate fell by two-tenths of a percentage point last month when compared to August. The effect of terrorism on the job market likely would appear in October figures.

"These statistics are based on data collected before any impact of the September 11th terrorist attacks are reflected in the state's unemployment figures," said department director Joe Driskill. The employment picture stabilized last month after earlier increases in the unemployment rate.

Columbia and Boone County again recorded the lowest jobless rates at 1.7 percent while Linn County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.7 percent, up from 10.8 percent in August.

Employment usually picks up in the fall with schools reopening, and this September was no different as payrolls grew by 44,200 jobs.