Jobless rate edges down in September

CEDAR RAPIDS - Iowa's unemployment rate edged down in September as more people were employed than in the previous month.

Iowa Workforce Development on Tuesday said the jobless rate was 3.6 percent last month, down from 3.7 percent in August. Iowa is tied with Utah for the sixth lowest unemployment rate in the nation.

Iowa's jobless rate was 4.3 percent a year ago.

'The unemployment rate continues to decline and reflects numbers not seen since 2006,” said Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development, in a news release. 'A record number of job openings exist in various industry sectors and we will continue to do all that we can to help Iowans find those opportunities.”

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,640,200 in September, 2,600 higher than August and 2,700 higher than a year ago. The number of unemployed Iowans declined to 61,300 in September from 62,500 in August.

Iowa's nonfarm employment decreased by 2,100 jobs in September to 1,573,000. The decline was the second consecutive loss for the state and was fueled by a drop of 1,800 jobs in the private sector.

Leisure and hospitality added the most jobs in September (1,500) and was bolstered by growth in accommodations and food services (500). Education and health care services also added jobs (600), as did professional and business services (200).

Job losses in September were largest in manufacturing (-2,000) and split between durable and nondurable goods factories. It marked the second consecutive loss for durable goods manufacturing.

Nondurable goods factories added jobs in eight of the last nine months and remain up 1,800 jobs for the year.

Construction reduced seasonal employment by 1,500 jobs, while trade and transportation shed 600 jobs primarily in wholesale trade.