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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa jobless numbers drop in seasonal adjustment
Those applying for unemployment benefits declined 3.7 percent from the year before
The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell to 3.5 percent in December, the Iowa Workforce Development said Tuesday.
That is down from 3.7 percent in November and 3.7 percent a year ago, the agency said in a news release.
IWD added that the total number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 57,900 in December, which were down by 3,800 from November.
The total number of Iowans reporting employment increased to 1,604,800 in December. That’s 5,200 higher than November and 45,200 higher than one year ago.
The labor force participation rate increased slightly. to 66.9 percent.
Unemployment figures do constitute everyone out of work as some have cycled out of the system or have stopped looking.
The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.9 percent IWD said in the release.
Some 11,700 jobs were filled across the state in December, marking job gains in each of the last four months of the year. In addition, employers added 29,200 jobs in the final six months.
“The December gain did include striking manufacturing workers returning to the production lines following a corresponding drop in durable goods production in November,” the release said.
“Private industries were responsible for all the jobs added this month, as government was unchanged versus last month but has added 7,100 jobs since last December.”
Among the highlights:
- Manufacturing added the most jobs in December, with 6,100, as strikers returned to work. Virtually all the movement was within durable goods.
- Nondurable goods factories added 100 jobs.
- Construction has now risen by 2,000 jobs since October.
- Wholesale and retail trade advanced with 2,300 jobs combined added in December. Both sectors have seen a rise of 14,000 jobs since May.
- Accommodations and food services added 1,000 jobs.
- Other services climbed by 600 jobs.
- Job losses were seen in the sectors of professional, scientific and technical services — by 500 — and finance and insurance — by 400.
For the year:
- Total nonfarm employment increased by 41,200 jobs over the past 12 months.
- Leisure and hospitality ended 2021 up 19,600 jobs, or 16.7 percent.
- Manufacturing was up 6,500 jobs with increases in both durable and non-durable goods industries.
- The retail sector saw strong hiring in 2021 and has helped fuel a gain of 5,600 jobs in trade, transportation and utilities.
- Losses were reported in administrative and waste management industries — with a drop of 1,800 — and construction, by 1,600.
A Casey's truck displays a "now hiring" sign while driving in Cedar Rapids in May 2021. (Michael Chevy Castranova/The Gazette)
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