While the state of Iowa’s unemployment rate remained steady from December to January, Washington County’s rate grew. According to Iowa Workforce Development, Washington County’s unemployment rate went from 2.3% in December to 3.6% in January. The state’s unemployment rate was 3.3%. 

In the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area, data shows employment declined by 1,100 positions from December to January. That decline was nearly all in the private sector with 700 of those in the service-providing sector.

In January, the county with the highest unemployment rate in the Hawkeye State was Marshall County at 8.8% and the lowest was 2.5% in Osceola County.