Iowa unemployment number slightly up in August after steady four months

DES MOINES — Iowa’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate slightly increased in the month of August.

New numbers released by Iowa Workforce Development today say August’s rate rose to 2.9%, ending a four-month stint at 2.8%. The state’s labor force participation rate fell to 66.3% from 66.4% in July.

Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend says national headwinds continue to cause Iowa employers some collective concern about uncertainty in the US economy, possibly explaining the sluggish hiring we are seeing now.

The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 48,400 in August compared to 47,600 in July. The total number of Iowans working fell to 1,635,400 in August. That figure is 2400 fewer than in July and 20,300 lower than a year ago.

Total non-farm employment decreased slightly in August by shedding 600 jobs. Professional and business services shed the most jobs since July with 1800 losses. Construction added 700 jobs since July, erasing a small drop of 500 jobs last month.