DES MOINES, Iowa - The state unemployment rate is 2.8 percent, according to information released Monday.
Iowa Workforce Development reports the latest statistics for January show the unemployment rate is unchanged from January, although there were 900 fewer people employed in non-farm jobs. The state’s jobless rate was 2.7 percent one year ago. Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend is upbeat about job opportunities., “Although the unemployment rate has gone up slightly over the winter months, there are still employers looking for skilled workers in high-demand fields," said Townsend.
Just over 1.7 million people are employed, while the number of unemployed residents hiked up slightly to 49,500. Marshall County in central Iowa has the state's highest unemployment rate at 7.5 percent, while neighboring Story County has the lowest rate at 2.2 percent. Labor force participation in Iowa is 71 percent.
Iowa is tied with three other states with the 10th lowest jobless rate in the country. The national unemployment rate is 3.6 percent.