WASHINGTON: Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 4 percent in June from 3.9 percent in May, according to Iowa Workforce Development. The state’s jobless rate was 3.6 percent a year ago. The United States unemployment rate rose to 4.9 percent in June, compared with 4.7 percent in May.
“Despite the increase in the unemployment rate in June, reaching the highest level since November 2014, Iowa’s businesses added 5,100 jobs last month,” IWD Director Beth Townsend said.
Townsend said her agency is developing programs to help spur economic growth and close the skills gap. “Good paying, secure jobs continue to be available in Iowa,” she said. The number of unemployed Iowans rose to 68,100 in June from 66,600 in May and is up 6,300 from a year ago. The total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,642,900 in June.
