While the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.9 percent last month, Iowa’s seasonal unemployment rate fell to 2.5 percent, the lowest since 2000.

According to Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend, “Not since May of 2000 has Iowa seen an unemployment rate this low.” From July to August Washington County’s unemployment rate increased from 2.0 percent to 2.2 percent, or about 300 people in the county unemployed. Jefferson, Keokuk, and Louisa Counties also saw slight increases in unemployment during the same time period.

County – July rate, August rate
Henry – 2.3%, 2.2%
Iowa – 1.7%, 1.7%
Jefferson – 2.4%, 2.5%
Johnson – 2.1%, 2.0%
Keokuk – 2.5%, 2.7%
Louisa – 2.5%, 2.6%
Washington – 2.0%, 2.2%
State of Iowa – 2.6%, 2.5%