The unemployment rate in Washington County fell from September to October, as it did in each of Washington’s contiguous counties. In September, Washington’s unemployment rate was 3.3% and it fell to 2.9% last month with 12,600 people employed. Henry, Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk and Louisa counties all saw declines as well. The biggest change was in Keokuk County from 4.6% to 4.0%. The state’s rate fell slightly from 4.2% to 4.1% with 2,300 more people employed in Iowa in October than September.

County – September rate, October rate
Henry – 3.9, 3.5
Iowa – 3.0, 2.7
Jefferson – 4.2, 4.0
Johnson – 2.9, 2.6
Keokuk – 4.6, 4.0
Louisa – 4.0, 3.7
Washington – 3.3, 2.9
State of Iowa – 4.2, 4.1