For the fourth consecutive month, Iowa’s labor force participation rate increased in June, while the unemployment rate held steady at 2.7 percent.
The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,693,300 in June, as 4,900 new workers joined the state’s labor force. This total figure is 18,100 higher than one year ago. Iowa establishments gained 400 jobs during the last month, the fourth monthly increase this year. The most additions were seen in education and healthcare, which added 1,000 jobs. Meanwhile, construction saw the biggest loss in June, shedding 1,700.
Iowa’s unemployment rate of 2.7 percent is significantly lower than the national average of 3.6. In the most recent data, unemployment rates for the KCII listening area included 2.2 percent in Washington County, 2.1 percent in Johnson County, 2.2 percent in Iowa County, 2.3 percent in Jefferson County, 2.6 percent in Louisa County, 2.9 percent in Henry County, and 3 percent in Keokuk County.
For more information about current and historical data, labor force data, nonfarm employment, hours and earnings, and jobless benefits by county, visit iowalmi.gov.