DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa’s unemployment rate remained at 2.8 percent in February. The state’s jobless rate was 2.7 percent one year ago.
Iowa Workforce Development says that because of the way the Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data, it doesn't expect COVID-19 numbers to have an impact on the unemployment rate until April.
"The February and March rates are not indicative of where we are now as a result of the recent outbreak," said Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend, "Iowa Workforce Development. We continue to encourage employers to utilize as many employees as possible and use alternative methods to allow them to work during this challenging time."
The April unemployment rate will be released in mid-May.
The number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 49,300 in February from 49,700 in January. The current estimate is 3,000 higher than the year ago level of 46,300.
The total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,703,500 in February. This figure was 1,500 less than January and 28,600 higher than one year ago.