Crawford, Franklin Counties Saw Unemployment Jump To Start 2026

Unemployment climbed in both Franklin and Crawford counties to open 2026, reflecting a broader regional uptick after jobless rates fell late last year.

The data is the most recent available from the Missouri Department of Labor.

In Franklin County, the unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in January, up from 3.0 percent in December. The increase came even as initial unemployment claims declined from 484 in December to 416 in January, suggesting the higher rate may reflect broader labor force movement rather than a simple spike in new claims.

Crawford County saw a sharper month-to-month increase, with unemployment rising to 5.2 percent in January after closing December at 3.6 percent. The county recorded 85 initial unemployment claims in January, up from 71 the previous month.

For Crawford County, the January increase marked a reversal from late 2025, when unemployment had steadily improved through the fall and winter. The county ended December at one of its lowest rates of the year before moving back near the middle of its 2025 range.

The January rate, however, remained below where Crawford County stood a year earlier. In January 2025, the county reported a 5.6 percent unemployment rate and 131 initial claims.

Franklin County also remained in a relatively moderate position compared to some neighboring counties, despite the January increase. Washington County posted one of the higher regional rates at 5.5 percent, up from 4.0 percent in December. Iron County rose to 5.4 percent, while Dent County increased to 4.5 percent.

Other nearby counties followed a similar pattern. Phelps County rose from 3.1 percent to 4.3 percent, Gasconade County increased from 2.9 percent to 4.1 percent, and most counties in the region reported higher unemployment in January than in December.

The pattern points to a seasonal slowdown at the start of the year, when holiday-related hiring fades and weather-sensitive industries can soften. Even with the January jump, many counties remained near or below their unemployment levels from January 2025.

At the state level, Missouri’s labor market showed a more mixed picture. The state added 9,700 jobs in January, bringing total nonfarm employment to nearly 3 million, while the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.9 percent.

Several service-sector industries posted gains. Leisure and hospitality added 4,600 jobs, private education and health services grew by 2,900 jobs, and trade, transportation and utilities increased by 2,700 jobs. The information sector added 500 jobs.

Construction-related employment helped drive the state’s overall growth. Mining, logging and construction added 7,100 jobs in January, offsetting a 2,200-job decline in manufacturing.

Other sectors lost ground. Professional and business services fell by 4,100 jobs, financial activities declined by 700 jobs and government employment dropped by 1,000 jobs overall.

Over the past year, Missouri added 26,300 jobs, with the strongest gains concentrated in construction-related fields and education and health services. The state’s unemployment rate also remained below the national average, continuing a long-running trend.