Unemployment rate rises in Jefferson, nearby counties

Unemployment in Jefferson County rose from 6.7 percent in May to 7.2 percent in June.

According to Iowa Workforce Development figures, in May, Jefferson County had a labor force of 7,960, with 7,430 employed and 530 unemployed. In June, the county had a labor force of 8,040, with 7,460 employed and 580 unemployed.

The Iowa Workforce Development figures also show an increase in unemployment in Van Buren County from 6.7 percent in May to 7.2 percent in June.

In May, Van Buren County had a labor force of 3,790, with 3,540 employed and 250 unemployed. In June, the county had a labor force of 3,810, with 3,540 employed and 280 unemployed.

Unemployment numbers also increased in nearby Henry and Washington counties. In Henry County, unemployment rose from 6.9 percent in May to 7.6 percent in June, and in Washington County, it rose from 4.5 percent in May to 5.2 percent in June.

The county employment numbers are not seasonally adjusted.

Iowa?s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June held steady at 6.0 percent for the third consecutive month.

One year ago, the state?s jobless rate was 6.1 percent. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy experienced a ?soft patch? during second quarter that pushed the national unemployment rate to 9.2 percent in June from 9.1 percent in May.

???Iowa?s economic recovery remains on track as we move into the second half of 2011,? said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. ?The state?s unemployment rate averaged 6.0 percent for the first six months of the year compared to 9.0 percent for the nation.?

??The state?s pool of unemployed persons increased to 100,900 in June from 100,500 in May. However, the number of unemployed fell by 1,500 since June 2010. ??The total number of working Iowans fell to 1,576,100 in June, its lowest point for the year. The figure compared with 1,582,500 for May and 1,566,800 for one year ago.