IOWA - Iowa is now tied for the third lowest unemployment rate in the country.
The rate of 3.1 percent is just a tiny fraction behind Nebraska and South Dakota, which are tied for lowest unemployment status (3.0 percent). Vermont's unemployment rate is also 3.1 percent.
The jobless rate in Iowa is close to the low level of 2.8 percent recorded a year ago before the COVID-19 pandemic forced massive business closure across the country.
It's also less than half the current national unemployment rate of 6.7 percent. Iowa's latest jobless numbers reflect the month of December, which fell from 3.8 percent in November.
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) Director Beth Townsend noted the improving numbers come at a time when the state typically struggles the most to keep people employed.
"November through February are typically the months IWD sees the most unemployment claims due to seasonal layoffs," said Townsend. "The fact that so many people found jobs during this time is evidence that our economy remains strong and our recovery from the pandemic is on the right track."