Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1% in August, staying above the U.S. employment rate which sits at 5.2%.
Across the board, Iowa’s unemployment statistics dipped in August but are stronger than this time last year. The number of unemployed Iowans increased by 300 in August to 67,900 – still 18,100 lower than the year-ago level of 86,000. And although the total number of working Iowans decreased by 1,600 in August, that figure is 43,700 higher than one year ago.
“Iowa’s economy remains resilient despite ongoing ripples from COVID-19,” said Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development.
The starkest contrast may be the 7,754 unemployment claims in August, compared to 8,362 in July. There were 23,393 initial claims in August of last year.
The leisure and hospitality industry lost the most jobs in August (-4,700). This decline was the first since December but is smaller than the large gain posted in July (+5,900), and the sector has added 12,600 jobs in 2021.
Manufacturing also lost 1,600 jobs in August but has added 8,100 jobs over the past 12 months.
Iowa establishments have added 37,400 jobs versus this time last year or 2.5% more jobs. Even with August’s loss, leisure and hospitality has added the most jobs (+13,700 or 11.7 percent), with most of the gain coming from accommodations and food services (+11,000). Professional and business services are up 3,800 jobs due primarily to hiring in administrative and support services (+4,100).
