Washington County unemployment pops to 5.2%

Washington County's unemployment rate grew by 0.7% to 5.2% in June, 2011. This change includes a dip in the labor force, and a slight rise in unemployment. The county has the second lowest unemployment rate in the east half of Iowa, behind Johnson County at 4.9%.

Washington County's labor force fell by 200 to 11,700, and the number of employed persons fell to 11,100, perhaps reflecting some seasonal summer effects. Surrounding counties, such as Louisa, Henry, Jefferson and Keokuk had slightly growing labor forces from May to June, but also experienced a jump in unemployment rates. Johnson County followed Washington's pattern with a drop in labor force.

Of the estimated 600 Washington County unemployed persons, 178 were drawing Unemployment Insurance benefits (up from 154 in May ).  For 19 of those receiving Unemployment benefits, their last payment occurred in June, while 51 received their first Unemployment benefit payment.

The State of Iowa's unemployment rate held steady at 6.0% from April and May. Looking further, the number of unemployed persons in Iowa decreased by about 700, while the number of employed persons also decreased by 6,500 as the State's labor force contracted by 6,000.  The national unemployment rose again by 0.1% from May to 9.2% in June.

The

State and County data is from the Labor Market and Economic Research Bureau of the Iowa Workforce Development.