Washington County had the lowest unemployment rate in southeast Iowa in August. According to Iowa Workforce Development, Washington County’s unemployment rate last month was 4.0%. Area counties’ rates included: Iowa County 4.4%, Louisa County 4.8%, Keokuk County 5.1%, Henry County 5.6%, Johnson County 6.0%, and Jefferson County 6.7%. The state’s unemployment rate was 6% for the month of August.

For the week of September 13-19, the continuing weekly unemployment claims for the state totaled 63,291, a decrease of 2,131 people from the previous week. The unemployment insurance benefit payments totaled $17,761,637.89.

County: July – August
Henry: 6.2% – 5.6%
Iowa: 4.8% – 4.4%
Jefferson: 7.3% – 6.7%
Johnson: 6.7% – 6.0%
Keokuk: 5.6% – 5.1%
Louisa: 5.4% – 4.8%
Washington: 5.8% – 4.0%

State: 6.8%, 6.0%