County unemployment increases by half-percentage point

Henry County?s jobless rate rose a half percentage point in August, according to figures released today by Iowa Workforce Development.

August unemployment in the county was listed at 7.8 percent, compared to 7.3 percent in July.

Although state unemployment increased just one-tenth of a percentage point from 6.0 to 6.1 in August, 90 of Iowa?s 99 counties saw unemployment increases during the month.

Following are the August unemployment rates for surrounding counties (July rate listed first followed by the August rate); Appanoose, 6.8, 7.3; Davis, 6.6, 7.6; Des Moines, 7.1, 7.7; Jefferson, 6.8, 7.3; Johnson, 4.8, 5.1; Keokuk, 6.2, 6.6; Lee, 8.9, 10.0; Louisa, 6.2, 6.9; Van Buren, 6.9, 7.5; Wapello, 7.3, 8.0; Washington, 4.9, 4.8.

Unemployment in area cities included: Burlington, 7.7, 8.4; Iowa City, 4.6, 4.8; Muscatine, 6.0, 6.4; Ottumwa, 7.5, 8.2

Hamilton County, located in north-central Iowa, had the highest unemployment at 11.1 percent.

The jobless rate in the United States was unchanged at 9.1 percent.