Washington County’s unemployment rate remained steady at 3% from September to October, which is down half a percent from this time last year. The state’s unemployment rate for October is 4.6%, nearly 3% below the nation’s rate. Other counties that saw no change from September to October include Iowa County at 3.8% and Johnson at 3%. Henry, Jefferson and Keokuk counties saw slight decreases in unemployment while Louisa County’s increased to 4.6%.