Iowa’s unemployment rate from October to November dropped slightly to 4.3 percent. Washington County’s unemployment stayed below the state’s rate and dropped slightly to 2.9 percent. The nation’s unemployment rate for the same time period remained at 5.8 percent. At this time last year, the country’s rate was seven percent. Other area counties that experienced slight declines include Henry, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk, Louisa.

County – October rate, November rate
Henry – 4.2%, 3.8%
Iowa – 4%, 4.1%
Jefferson – 5.2%, 4.8%
Johnson – 2.7%, 2.5%
Keokuk – 3.6%, 3.4%
Louisa – 3.8%, 3.7%
Washington – 3%, 2.9%

State of Iowa – 4.5%, 4.3%
United States – 5.8%, 5.8%