Iowa Jobless Rate Edges Downward in October

By Dave DeWitte, Reporter

Tools

By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Nov 20, 2012 at 12:13 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2012 at 6:48 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 5.1 percent in October from 5.2 percent in September.

Iowa Workforce Development said Iowa's unemployment rate was down from 5.8 percent one year ago.

“The Iowa job market looked a little stronger in October, as the state’s unemployment rate continued to drop and hiring strengthened across most industry sectors,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development.

Wahlert said the October gain of 6,000 nonfarm jobs was the largest in a single month since February.

Local unemployment rates in the Corridor edged upward in October despite gains in nonfarm employment.

The unemployment rate for the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area for October stood at 4.8 percent, compared to 4.6 percent in October.

In the Iowa City MSA, the October unemployment rate stood at 3.4 percent, compared to 3.2 percent for September. Iowa City's October rate was tied with the Ames MSA rate for lowest in the state.

The Iowa City MSA gained 1,500 jobs from September, mainly in government, which added 600. Employment is 2,000 jobs higher than it a year ago, with 1,800 more jobs in service-providing industries and 200 more jobs in goods-producing industries.

The local unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

The Cedar Rapids MSA has gained 2,100 jobs from September, due mainly to a gain of 900 jobs in the education and health services sector. Employment in September was up 1,500 from a year ago.

The national unemployment rate for October stood at 7.9 percent.

Next Article Iowa Senate Finished; House Has Work Remaining

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.