The KCII listening area saw unemployment decrease for the month of September.

Data from Iowa Workforce Development shows Washington County’s unemployment decreased from 3.4 to 2.5%, while Henry and Jefferson each dropped a percentage point to 3.1 and 3%, respectively. Iowa decreased from 2.9 to 2.6% and Johnson dropped from 3.6 to 2.7%. Keokuk decreased from 3.9 to 3.2%, and Louisa decreased from 3.6 to 2.7%. Statewide, the unemployment rate decreased slightly from 4.1% in August to 4% in September, and the United States’ rate lowered from 5.2 to 4.8%. All of Iowa saw a lower unemployment rate than in September of 2020, during which Washington was at 3%. The total number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 66,100 from 68,000 in August.