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For Release: 10 a.m., August 20, 2010
Contact: Kerry Koonce: (515) 281-9646

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Iowa Unemployment Rate at 6.8 Percent

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 6.8 percent in July from a revised June rate of 6.7 percent. The state’s jobless rate stood at 6.1 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 9.5 percent, which was slightly higher than the July 2009 rate of 9.4 percent.

“In contrast to the U.S. employment situation, Iowa’s private sector hired at a strong enough pace in July to overcome the job losses on the government side,” said Elisabeth Buck, director of Iowa Workforce Development. Nonfarm jobs in the state have increased in six of the first seven months of 2010, which has managed to keep the recovery intact.”

All told, there were 113,800 Iowa residents looking for work in July. The monthly estimate of unemployed is up 700 from June, and 11,600 from July 2009.

The total number of working Iowans fell to 1,560,800 in July from 1,567,200 in June. The current level is down 9,500 from last year.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Iowa’s total nonfarm employment increased by 1,700 in July, bringing the new level to 1,474,900. Expected sharp declines in government were more than offset by increases in the private sector. Due to the job gains posted for July, the year-over-year change fell back into positive territory with the current figure now 3,700 higher than July 2009.

Government reflected the largest job loss in July, down 1,300. State government dropped by 2,000, as a large number of state government employees took advantage of the early retirement incentive program. The loss of 600 in federal government employment was largely due to the remaining Census workers completing their temporary assignments. Local government hiring helped ease the losses somewhat with the addition of 1,300 jobs. Private employment in July was led by gains in leisure and hospitality (+2,500), construction (+1,100), and trade and transportation (+700).

Compared to July 2009, the largest increases have been in professional and business services and manufacturing, up 8,100 and 7,200 jobs, respectively. The greatest losses since last year have been in trade and transportation (-6,900), and in government (3,500).

MEDIA ALERT: An audio cut of comments about Iowa’s labor market situation is available by calling (515) 281-6057. Statewide and local data for August will be released on Tuesday, September 21, 2010.

Employment and Unemployment In Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data

           
       

Change from

  July
 2010
June
2010
July
 2009
June
 2010
July
 2009
Civilian labor force 1,674,600 1, 680,300 1,672,500 -5,700 2,100
Unemployment 113,800 113,100 102,200 700 11,600
Unemployment rate 6.8% 6.7% 6.1% 0.1 0.7
Employment 1,560,800 1,567,200 1,570,300 -6,400 -9,500
               
U.S. unemployment rate 9.5% 9.5% 9.4% 0.0 0.1
           

Nonfarm Employment In Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data

           
Total nonfarm employment 1,474,900 1,473,200 1,471,200 1,700 3,700
Mining 2,400 2,400 2,200 0 200
Construction 62,700 61,600 63,600 1,100 -900
Manufacturing 205,300 205,600 198,100 -300 7,200
Trade, transportation and utilities 295,500 294,800 302,400 700 -6,900
Information 29,200 29,100 30,200 100 -1,000
Financial activities 99,700 100,200 101,600 -500 -1,900
Professional and business services 124,200 125,000 116,100 -800 8,100
Education and health services 211,500 211,300 210,400 200 1,100
Leisure and hospitality 132,800 130,300 133,100 2,500 -300
Other services 59,100 59,100 57,500 0 1,600
Government 252,500 253,800 256,300 -1,300 -3,500

Unemployment Insurance Claims For Iowa

           
       

% Change from

  July
 2010
June
 2010
July
 2009
June
 2010
July
 2009
Initial claims 18,533 18,887 37,909 -1.9% -51.1%
Continued claims          
     Number of claimants 41,769 44,094 74,135 -5.3% -43.7%
     Weeks paid 136,155 161,849 255,097 -15.9% -46.6%
     Amount paid $39,758,531 $47,592,238 $75,533,918 -16.5% -47.4%

Visit www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/laborforce/locallaborforce.html for county unemployment rates,
www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/laborforce/index.html for current and historical labor force data and
www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/empstat/msanonag.htm for detailed information on nonfarm employment.

Visit www.iowaworkforce.org/trends/wages.html for information on hours and earnings and
www.iowaworkforce.org/trends/uiclaimscomo.html to obtain a breakout of jobless benefits by county.

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