DES MOINES, Iowa—Last week, Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.6 percent in June, down from 2.7 percent in May and back to it’s pre-pandemic level. Iowa added 5,100 jobs in June. The number of working Iowans in June was 8,200 higher than in May and 57,900 higher than a year ago. the number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 43,900 in June from 46,800 in May. the U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent in June.

Locally, Boone County had a rate in May at 1.9 percent. June was up to 2.3 percent. Story County went from 1.6 percent to 2.2 percent. Polk County increased from 2.3 percent to 2.7 percent in June. Dallas County was up from 1.6 percent to 2 percent. Greene County went from 1.8 to 2 percent. Webster County from 2.5 percent in May to 3.4 percent in June. Hamilton County increased from 2.4 percent to 2.7 percent in June.

Even with the number of unemployed Iowans decreasing and the number of employed Iowans increased, there was a larger number of people entering the workforce.

May 2022 Seasonally Unadjusted county unemployment rates.

June 2022 Seasonally Unadjusted county unemployment rate.

(contributed information, IWD)