DES MOINES — Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.2 percent in August from 4.1 percent in July. The state’s jobless rate was 3.6 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.9 percent in August.
“While the unemployment rate ticked up again in August, there were a few bright spots,” Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend said. “The total number of working Iowans also increased by 1,700 from July and 3,600 higher than a year ago. Additionally, for the third consecutive month, Iowa businesses expanded their payrolls and added 4,900 jobs, raising the total number of working Iowans. Iowa’s unemployment rate also remains 0.7 percent lower than the national rate.”
The number of unemployed Iowans rose to 72,700 in August from 70,700 in July. The current estimate is 11,500 higher than the year ago level of 61,200.
The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,642,300 in August. This figure was 1,700 higher than July and 3,600 higher than one year ago.