Unemployment lower than average in most of SE Iowa

WASHINGTON — The latest batch of data released by Iowa Workforce Development showed unemployment numbers declining across Southeast Iowa from October to November, despite variations in yearlong trends compared to the same time in 2022.

According to the IWD report, Henry County’s unemployment rate by the end of November was 3.1%, down from 3.4% the month prior. Jefferson County’s number also fell, from 3.2% to 2.9% in the same time span. Both, however, represent double-digit percentage increases in unemployment compared to November of 2022, when Henry and Jefferson clocked rates of 2.8% and 2.4%, respectively.

In Washington County, this year’s end-of-November unemployment rate, at 2.4%, is among the three lowest in Southeast Iowa, tying with Johnson County’s rate and slightly above Iowa County’s 2.2%. While the number is considerably lower than others in the region, it’s still a decrease from Washington County’s rate of 2.7% reported at the end of October, and slightly higher than the 2.3% number measured in November of 2022.

The IWD report said employment options were unevenly spread across industries in the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Washington County. It added that the area had a net increase of about 100 jobs since 2022.

“Much of the loss in employment within the private service-providing sector is attributable to losses in trade, transportation, and utilities,” the report said. “However, retail trade employment rose by 200 positions, as did employment in accommodation and food services. Employment growth was strong in the public sector, with state government employers adding 600 positions annually; federal and local government employers each added 100 positions.”

Despite local variations, Washington, Henry and Jefferson counties all finished November with unemployment rates lower than the state (3.3%) or national (3.7%) average. The same trend holds true for much of Southeast Iowa, although some in the region were outliers, like Des Moines County (4.0%) and Lee County (4.1%)

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com