JOBLESS RATE: August Numbers Increase

Iowa’s August unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percent over July’s numbers.

Iowa Workforce Development released the new numbers Friday morning. The unemployment rate in August was 5.5 percent, up from July’s 5.3 percent.

“Seasonal job losses and an uncertain economic outlook are currently restraining job growth,” said IWD director Teresa Wahlert. “The statewide economy is reacting to the effects of drought conditions, a global economic slowdown and the national uncertainty surrounding taxes and expenditure cuts.”

IWD says despite the increase, the unemployment rate is still substantially lower than last year’s August rate of 6 percent.

The national unemployment rate is 8.1 percent, which is a drop of two-tenths of a percent from July.