Employment picture dimmed in Corridor during August

The unemployment rate edged upward in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City in August, as employers in the service, manufacturing and government sectors shed jobs.

The Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area reported a August unemployment rate of 6.1 percent, up from 5.6 percent in August on a non-seasonally adjusted basis. Total employment slipped 3,200, and remains 1,000 down from August 2010, Iowa Workforce Development reported on Monday, Sept. 19.

The largest job reductions were in trade and transportation, which shed 1,000 jobs, and local government, which shed 600 jobs. Natural resources and construction shed 500 jobs.

Modest job gains were reported in the administrative, professional and business services, and administrative and support service sectors.

The Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area unemployment rate rose to 5 percent from 4.8 percent in July. Total employment fell 200, and is 500 lower than in August 2010.

Job losses of 100 each were reported in the federal government sector, retail trade sector and the trade and transportation sector.

Unemployment statewide upward to 6.1 percent in August from 6 percent in July. On the county level, unemployment rates range from 11.1 percent in Hamilton County to 4.1 percent in Mitchell County.