Corridor jobless rates fall in April

The unemployment rate fell last month in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City when compared with March, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

Cedar Rapids' jobless rate slipped to 4.2 percent in April from 4.8 percent in March. Total nonfarm employment in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan statistical area gained 1,600 jobs from March and stands at 141,100 jobs.

Employment is 600 above a year ago and 200 above April 2012.

Trade, transportation and warehousing realized the greatest gain, adding 500 jobs. Retail trade contributed to that gain, adding 300 jobs in April.

Leisure and hospitality enjoyed a larger-than-usual gain in March and followed that up with an additional 100 jobs in April. Natural resources and construction added 700 jobs as more favorable weather arrived.

Manufacturing shed 100 jobs from March and is unchanged from a year ago. Information and educational and health services each shed 200 jobs from a year ago.

In Iowa City, the jobless rate dipped to 2.8 percent last month from 3.3 percent in March. Nonfarm employment in the Iowa City MSA increased 1,000 jobs from March, making it four consecutive years of March to April gains of 1,000.

The over-the-year increase (+2,800) is well above the 10-year average. Employment stands at 99,000 in the Iowa City MSA.

Goods producing industries added 400 jobs in April. Leisure and hospitality added 300 last month.

No Iowa City area industries shed jobs in April. Local government employment was reduced by 100 fewer jobs than in April 2013.

Over the year, government has added 900 jobs, there are 500 more jobs in leisure and hospitality, and trade, transportation and warehousing has increased employment by 200 jobs.

Iowa's unemployment rate dipped to 4.3 percent in April from a revised 4.5 percent in March, primarily because of more private sector hiring.

Comments: (319) 398-8366; george.ford@sourcemedia.net