Washington County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.1% in August to 3.0% last month. According to Iowa Workforce Development, Washington County had 500 people unemployed in August and that fell to 300 in September. Henry, Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk, and Louisa counties all saw declines in unemployment last month.

The highest unemployment rate in the state in September was 5.9% in both Des Moines and Scott counties. The state’s unemployment rate was 4.7% and the nation’s was 7.9%.

While unemployment has dropped recently, Iowa Workforce Development states that the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Washington County, decreased employment by 500 positions between August and September. The loss in jobs in the Iowa City MSA in the past year has been 4.2%, or 4,300 positions. Jobs were eliminated across sectors with state government losing 1,200 jobs, local government down 500 jobs, the goods-producing sector dropped 900 jobs, and the private service-providing sector eliminated 1,700 jobs. There were also losses of 700-800 jobs in each of the following: retail trade; accommodation and food services; and trade, transportation, and utilities.