Iowa’s unemployment rate remained at just over four percent in August according to the monthly report released Friday by Iowa Workforce Development. The number of unemployed Iowans increased by 300 to 67,900, compared to 86,000 a year ago. The total number of working Iowans declined by 1,600 in August to 1,592,200 as the labor force participation rate saw a slight drop to 66.8 percent. Initial unemployment claims fell to 7,754 last month, compared to 8,362 in July and 23,393 in August 2020. The leisure and hospitality sector lost approximately 4,700 jobs last month, and state officials say a decline was expected as temporary positions are cut as the summer comes to a close. Manufacturing lost around 1,600 jobs, largely within durable goods factories, and the health care and social assistance sector added about 600 jobs. Iowa Workforce Development Director, Beth Townsend, says, “Iowa’s economy remains resilient despite ongoing ripples from COVID-19.” More data on the state’s August jobs report can be found at www.iowalmi.gov.
