Washington County unemployment drops to 4.8% in August

Washington County's unemployment rate fell by 0.1% to 4.8% in August, 2011. This small statistical change occurred even as the reported labor force and employment levels held steady. The County has the lowest unemployment in Southeast and East Central Iowa. In August 2010, unemployment was at 4.9%.

Unemployment rates in sourrounding counties was generally on the rise, with small decreases in labor force, decreases in the number of employed persons, and increases in the number of unemployed persons. Besides Johnson County, most other Southeast Iowa counties have unemployment rates over 1% higher than Washington, with Lee County being at 10%, or over double Washington County's rate.

Washington County's labor force statistically dropped slightly to 11,600, and the number of employed persons was slightly lower at 11,000.  Neighboring Johnson County had a slight expansion in labor force and in unemployed persons for a 4.9% unemployment rate.

Of the estimated 600 Washington County unemployed persons, 182 were drawing Unemployment Insurance benefits (down from 183 in July).  For 13 of those receiving Unemployment benefits, their last payment occurred in July, while 49 received their first Unemployment benefit payment.

The State of Iowa's unemployment rate crept up 0.1% to 6.1% from the previous four months. Looking further, the number of unemployed persons in Iowa increased by 1,500, while the number of employed persons  decreased by 500 as the State's labor force contracted by 3,500.  The national unemployment held steady at 9.1% from July into August.

The

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