Corridor jobless rates increase in January

Iowa's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in January, unchanged from December, but seasonal employment losses led to higher jobless rates in the Corridor.

Iowa Workforce Development on Monday reported the number of unemployed Iowans increased to 59,800 in January from 59,400 in December. The January estimate is 5,200 lower than 65,000 in January 2015.

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,649,400 in January, 3,400 higher than December and 12,100 higher than in January 2015.

Iowa's nonfarm employment gained 7,900 jobs in January, lifting the total to 1,581,800 jobs.

The largest private sector gain was in trade and transportation with 2,200 jobs. The increase was fueled by the retail sector with 1,400 jobs, which fared better than expected during the holiday season.

Leisure and hospitality added 2,100 jobs in January, primarily due to increased staffing in accommodations and food services.

Cedar Rapids' seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 4.5 percent in January from 3.6 percent in December as the number of unemployed rose to 6,600 from 5,100 in December. Nonfarm employment fell to 141,500 in January from 143,900 inn December, according to Iowa Workforce Development.

Professional and business services was the only sector with an employment gain over the month, adding 300 jobs.

Natural resources and construction experienced a seasonal decline of 800 jobs, followed closely by trade, transportation and warehousing, which shed 700 jobs. Manufacturing, information and other services employment levels were unchanged.

Iowa City's seasonally-adjusted jobless rate was 3 percent in January, up from 2.5 percent in December as the number of unemployed rose to 2,900 from 2,400 in December. Nonfarm employment fell to 97,900 in January from 99,900 in December.

Leisure and hospitality contributed 400 to the jobs decline. Trade, transportation and warehousing pared 200 jobs, nearly all of which were in retail trade.