Counties with the highest unemployment in Missouri

The first jobs report under the new Trump administration showed a stable job market, with the unemployment rate ticking down from 4.1% to 4% in January, the lowest since last May, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures released Feb. 7.

The report marks 49 consecutive months of overall job growth, the second-longest recorded period since 1939.

Job losses that did occur were concentrated in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries, which declined by 8,000 jobs over the month. There was little change in employment in other major industries.

To get a glimpse of regional variations in employment, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rates Missouri, using BLS data. Counties are ranked by their preliminary unemployment rate in December 2024, with initial ties broken by the number of unemployed people within that county, though some ties may remain. County-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Key takeaways: Jobs report reveals cooling labor market

January's job growth of 143,000 fell short of expectations, while the downward revision of 589,000 fewer jobs in 2024 suggests the labor market was weaker last year than initially thought.

Business leaders are starting to display more caution, with 67% of executives reporting higher stress levels heading into 2025, according to a survey of 1,000 executives by Sentry, a business insurance company. Among survey respondents, 47% citing economic uncertainty as their biggest concern.

"We have what I would describe as a robust but frozen labor market," Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, told The New York Times, noting that while unemployment remains low, there's very little churn or employee turnover as "businesses are being cautious as to how they manage their work force."

Moody's Analytics projects monthly payroll gains could slow to around 100,000 by year-end.

The big story: Potential for economic headwinds grows

Behind the "Now Hiring" signs and modest unemployment rate, there's growing concern on Main Street that the economy might be more fragile than it appears.

"You've already got companies hiring as if they're in a recession—even if they're not laying people off," Oliver Allen, senior U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, told CNN. Average unemployment duration, a lagging indicator, rose from 20.8 weeks in January 2024 to 22 in January of this year.

Tightening trade regulations and federal trimming could also have an impact on the job market. Experts predict the U.S. gross domestic product could take a hit due to increased tariffs. The U.S. government is the country's largest employer and contributes 36% to the GDP.

Sudden cuts to federal spending advocated by the new administration could hit the economy hard. One example of the potential fallout is that if prices were to increase further due to higher tariffs, consumer purchasing power would decline, stymieing economic growth.

Whether the effects of slashing the workforce and the budget will be exceeded by Trump's plans to loosen business regulations and cut taxes remains to be seen.

To get a better idea of your community's current economy, read on to see the counties with the highest unemployment in Missouri.

49. Johnson County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.3%
--- 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 23,099 people (769 unemployed)

49. Ray County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.3%
--- 1-month change: 0.0 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 11,098 people (363 unemployed)

47. Putnam County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.4%
--- 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,113 people (72 unemployed)

47. Maries County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.4%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,980 people (137 unemployed)

44. Randolph County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.5%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 9,909 people (342 unemployed)

44. Clark County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.5%
--- 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: -0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,949 people (103 unemployed)

44. Miller County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.5%
--- 1-month change: +0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 12,805 people (442 unemployed)

39. Macon County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.6%
--- 1-month change: +0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,983 people (250 unemployed)

39. Jackson County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.6%
--- 1-month change: 0.0 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 369,864 people (13,205 unemployed)

39. Crawford County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.6%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,497 people (383 unemployed)

39. Douglas County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.6%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,402 people (197 unemployed)

39. Adair County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.6%
--- 1-month change: -0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,289 people (375 unemployed)

33. St. Clair County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,981 people (149 unemployed)

33. Knox County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,749 people (65 unemployed)

33. Monroe County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,799 people (142 unemployed)

33. Vernon County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 9,043 people (332 unemployed)

33. Barry County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: -0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 14,194 people (522 unemployed)

33. Oregon County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.7%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,089 people (152 unemployed)

29. Dallas County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.9%
--- 1-month change: 0.0 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +1.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 7,497 people (289 unemployed)

29. Reynolds County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.9%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,635 people (103 unemployed)

29. Taney County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.9%
--- 1-month change: 0.0 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 26,113 people (1,029 unemployed)

29. Dent County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.9%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,028 people (236 unemployed)

22. St. Louis city (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 153,677 people (6,160 unemployed)

22. Howell County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 16,111 people (638 unemployed)

22. Washington County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,030 people (397 unemployed)

22. Madison County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4%
--- 1-month change: +0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,319 people (211 unemployed)

22. Mississippi County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,139 people (207 unemployed)

22. Stoddard County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4%
--- 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: -0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 12,255 people (496 unemployed)

22. Pulaski County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 14,650 people (592 unemployed)

20. Texas County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: -0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 9,262 people (383 unemployed)

20. New Madrid County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: 0.0 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 8,166 people (337 unemployed)

16. Ripley County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,072 people (214 unemployed)

16. Butler County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: 0.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 17,658 people (743 unemployed)

16. St. Francois County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: +0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 26,063 people (1,087 unemployed)

16. Linn County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,054 people (211 unemployed)

15. Wright County

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.3%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 7,993 people (344 unemployed)

11. Morgan County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: +0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 8,462 people (370 unemployed)

11. Stone County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: +0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 13,660 people (604 unemployed)

11. Wayne County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,857 people (214 unemployed)

11. Hickory County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: +0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,193 people (183 unemployed)

10. Benton County

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 7,156 people (325 unemployed)

9. Schuyler County

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
--- 1-month change: +0.9 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,886 people (86 unemployed)

8. Laclede County

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.7%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 16,107 people (750 unemployed)

7. Camden County

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.8%
--- 1-month change: +0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 18,611 people (900 unemployed)

5. Carter County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.9%
--- 1-month change: +0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,369 people (116 unemployed)

5. Shannon County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.9%
--- 1-month change: +0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,277 people (159 unemployed)

3. Iron County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
--- 1-month change: 0.0 percentage points
--- 1-year change: +0.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,372 people (173 unemployed)

3. Pemiscot County (tie)

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
--- 1-month change: -0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: 0.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,791 people (293 unemployed)

2. Dunklin County

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.3%
--- 1-month change: +0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: -0.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 11,634 people (618 unemployed)

1. Ozark County

December unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.8%
--- 1-month change: +0.9 percentage points
--- 1-year change: -0.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,424 people (200 unemployed)

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Ben Popken, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.