But hiring rises in healthcare, business services.
Iowa Unemployment Creeps Up
Iowa’s unemployment rate inched up in July for the second
month in a row, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While still very low, Iowa’s rate has risen from 3.9
percent in May to 4.1 percent in July, the government reported. The
U.S. average is 4.9 percent.
“Iowa’s economy revealed both strength and weakness in July,” Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce
Development, said in a statement. “Even as the state’s unemployment rate crept
up a tenth of a point to 4.1 percent, Iowa businesses still showed enough
confidence to expand payrolls this month. Hiring in healthcare and professional
and business services was particularly strong.”
Healthcare added 1,200 jobs across the state during July,
according to Iowa Workforce Development, while professional and business
services added 1,500 jobs.
On the negative side, the state lost 400 administrative support
and waste management jobs during July, 600 leisure and hospitality jobs, 600
trade and transportation positions, 400 manufacturing jobs, and 300 jobs in
finance, according to the state agency.
Iowa’s July unemployment rate beats neighbors Illinois (5.8
percent), Missouri (4.7 percent), and Wisconsin (4.2 percent) but trails
Minnesota (3.9 percent), Nebraska (3.1 percent), and South Dakota (2.8
percent).
