(The Center Square) – Iowa’s unemployment rate increased to 3.2% in October, up from 3% in September, spurred by the economy, according to Iowa Workforce Development.
“October’s numbers demonstrate that national economic pressures and the federal government’s efforts to slow inflation are having an impact on Iowa,” said Beth Townsend, IWD director. “As we enter the winter, when we traditionally see higher seasonal unemployment rates, we will most likely see these trends continue. However, there are still almost 65,000 open jobs on IowaWORKS.gov.”
The number of Iowans working dropped by 9,300 from September to October to 1.679,900. The figure is 13,600 higher than a year ago, according to IWD.
The administrative support and waste management industry saw more than half of the job losses, with a net loss of 4,800. Other sectors seeing declines are retail trade, which shed 1,300 jobs, and construction, which lost 600, according to IWD.
Education and health services are experiencing the most significant increases, with a gain of 6,000 jobs. Most of the growth is in the health care and social assistance industries.
Lyon and Sioux counties in the northwestern portion of the state are tied for the lowest unemployment rate at 1.8%. Marshall County, located in central Iowa, had the highest rate at 4.9%.
Iowa’s overall employment rate is still below the national average of 3.9% in October. September’s national unemployment rate was 3.8%.