Unemployment rates steady in Cedar Rapids, decline in Iowa City Jobless rates low in the Corridor

Unemployment in the Corridor overall remained low in November but with an increase in the Cedar Rapids's labor force and more people working.

The jobless rate for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was unchanged in November from October at 3.9 percent, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

The community's labor force increased from 147,700 in October to 148,400 in November. The number of residents working rose to 142,600 last month from 141,900 in October.

Total nonfarm employment in the Cedar Rapids MSA gained 400 jobs from October to November and stands at 143,200. Employment is 1,000 above one year ago but just 900 above November 2012.

Trade and transportation buoyed employment in November. The sector added 500 jobs, with much of the gains focused in seasonal retail hiring.

Losses were limited to construction and professional and business services.

In the Iowa City MSA, the unemployment rate fell to 2.6 percent in November, from 2.8 percent the previous month. The labor force edged down to 99,600 last month, from 99,700 in October.

The number of Iowa City residents working was unchanged in November at 97,000.

Nonfarm employment in the Iowa City MSA increased 500 jobs from October and is up 2,400 from November 2013. The bulk of the over-the-month gain was in private services and is partially due to seasonal gains in retail trade.

Government added 200 jobs due to gains of 100 each in federal and state government.

Lyon County had the lowest unemployment rate last month at 2 percent, unchanged from October. Cherokee County has the highest jobless rate - at 6.6 percent, up from 6.2 percent in October.

Statewide, the unemployment rate slid to a seasonally adjusted 4.3 percent in November from 4.5 percent in October.