Corridor unemployment rates fall

The unemployment rate fell last month in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City as the education and health care sectors increased hiring.

Iowa Workforce Development on Tuesday said the jobless rate in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan statistical area (MSA) fell to 3.9 percent in October from 4.4 percent in September, while the Iowa City MSA's jobless rate slid to 2.8 percent last month from 3.2 percent in September.

Total nonfarm employment in the Cedar Rapids MSA gained 500 jobs from September and stands at 142,700. Employment is 800 above a year ago and 600 above October 2012.

Educational and health services buoyed employment in October. The sector added 700 jobs, about 30 percent fewer jobs than the 10-year average gain for September to October.

The only other sector with an employment gain was trade, transportation and warehousing, with 200 additional jobs, split evenly between wholesale and retail trade.

Leisure and hospitality dropped 700 jobs from a year ago, information and government have each shed 200 jobs, and manufacturing was unchanged.

Nonfarm employment in the Iowa City MSA increased 1,700 jobs from last month and is up 2,600 from a year ago. The bulk of the over-the-month gain was in government with 800 jobs and is largely seasonal in nature.

Private service-providing industries added 600 jobs. Goods producing industries added 300 jobs, while leisure and hospitality experienced a seasonal decline of 300 jobs.

Gains from a year ago were in private service providing with 2,200 jobs and goods producing with 600 positions.

The statewide unemployment rate was 4.5 percent last month, compared with 4.6 percent in September.