The jobless rate rose in Iowa last month, and all its major cities lost jobs compared to last year. Statewide, Iowa Workforce Development says the unemployment rate was 4.2% percent, compared to 3.6% in August, 2015. The Iowa agency also says in August, 72,000 people were out of work and looking for jobs, 11,000 more than a year ago.
In Dubuque, the jobless rate was 4%, up from 3.3% a year ago. But, thanks to growth in private services industries, since August of last year, Dubuque has gained 1,100 jobs.
In Iowa City, the unemployment rate was 3.3%, up from 2.6% last year. And the metro area added 1,700 jobs, with gains in nearly every sector.
Next week, the Illinois Department of Employment Security will release August jobless figures for the Quad Cities area. In July, the local unemployment rate was 5.6%.
Iowa Unemployment Statistics Aug 2016
