August saw unemployment decrease for most counties in the KCII listening-area, while Washington County’s was unchanged from July.

Washington County’s unemployment rate was 3.4% in August, while Iowa decreased from 3.2-2.9%, Henry increased from 3.9-4.1%, Keokuk decreased from 4.1-3.9%, Johnson decreased from 3.8-3.6%, Jefferson decreased from 4.3-4%, and Louisa decreased 3.8-3.6%. Statewide, unemployment remained at 4.1%, while nationwide it decreased from 5.4-5.2%. Washington County is the only one in its region to see its unemployment rate higher than this time last year, which was 3.3%. The labor force participation rate declined from 66.9% in July to 66.8% in August, according to Iowa Workforce Development. It was 65.9% one year ago. Initial unemployment claims fell to 7,754 in August, compared to 8,362 in July.