Iowa jobless rate falls below 6 percent

Iowa's unemployment rate dropped to 5.7 percent in November, its first dip below 6 percent in 26 months.

The number of unemployed Iowans fell by 3,700 and employment rose by 3,700 from October levels, according to Iowa Workforce Development. Nonfarm employment dropped 1,10 from October levels. The number of Iowans in the civilian labor force was listed as unchanged, and the number employed rose by 3,700 to 1,562,000.

While state leaders have frequently pointed out that Iowa's jobless rate is much better than the nationwide average, it had remained stubbornly stuck in the 6 percent range. In fact, the monthly jobless rate had been 6 percent for seven months of the first 11 months of 2011. On the other months, it had been at 6.1 percent.

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