DES MOINES, Iowa -- Women and black people have lost employment at a greater rate than men in Iowa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S Labor Department numbers show women account for more than half of the jobless claims in the state, and were an even higher percentage during the pandemic's early months.
In every month since April, women have exceeded 50 percent of total claims and Iowa women make up only half the population, according to the Census Bureau.
The numbers also show black people account for nearly twelve percent of jobless claims while representing only four percent of the state's population.
Overall, Iowa currently has the 4th lowest unemployment rate in the country at 3.6 percent.
Weekly jobless numbers released Wednesday show ongoing unemployment claims to be largely unchanged from the previous week while first time claims saw a spike of 15 percent.