Corridor unemployment picture mixed in May

The unemployment rates for May in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor paint a mixed picture, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

The jobless rate for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was 3.6 percent in May, down slightly from 3.7 percent in April, but higher than 3.5 percent in May 2015.

A total of 5,200 Cedar Rapids area residents were unemployed last month, down from 5,300 in April, but 100 higher than 5,100 in May 2015.

The Cedar Rapids MSA added 1,000 nonfarm jobs from April, bringing employment to 145,400. Total nonfarm employment in the metro area is 1,600 above a year ago.

Leisure and hospitality led all sectors with an over-the-month gain of 400 jobs. Government added 300 jobs due to gains in local government, as local entities geared up for more outdoor activities.

Construction and trade, transportation and warehousing each added 200 jobs last month. The only sector to shed jobs in May was educational and health services, which declined by 300 positions.

The unemployment rate for the Iowa City MSA edged up to 2.5 percent in May from 2.4 percent in April. The jobless rate was 2.4 percent in May 2015.

Nonfarm employment in the Iowa City MSA is down 500 jobs from April due to job losses in service-providing and government sectors. Government shed 1,000 jobs due to seasonal declines.

Leisure and hospitality experienced a seasonal gain of 300 jobs.

The labor force dropped to 143,600 last month in the Cedar Rapids MSA and 95,500 in the Iowa City MSA.

Over the year, trade, transportation and warehousing, educational and health services and professional and business services have each added jobs in the Cedar Rapids MSA.

The Iowa City MSA has added 1,100 jobs from a year ago, with gains in nearly every sector. Goods producing manufacturing is the exception to the job increases seen in other sectors, with a decline of 200 jobs.