Local Unemployment Rates Climbed in August

By Dave DeWitte, Reporter

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Sep 24, 2012 at 5:47 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 24, 2012 at 5:47 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City metro unemployment rates climbed in August, as seasonal factors led to job losses in Cedar Rapids and gains in Iowa City.

The August unemployment rate of 5.6 percent in the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area was up from 5.2 percent in July on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.

The seasonally adjusted statewide rate in August was 5.5 percent, while the national unemployment rate was 8.1 percent.

The Cedar Rapids metro lost 1,000 jobs from July, to stand at 136,100 jobs. A seasonal loss of 400 jobs in local government combined with decreases in construction, natural resources, trade, transportation, warehousing and the leisure and hospitality sector to cause a 1,400-job decline from August 2011 in the Cedar Rapids metro area.

The Iowa City metro area gained 2,000 jobs from July, including 1,300 jobs in government. Total employment is 400 higher than in August 2011, with 200 additional jobs in the goods-producing sector and 400 additional jobs in the service sector. Those jobs were partly offset by losses in government jobs.

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