DES MOINES, Iowa—Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 2.9 percent in March from a revised February rate of 3.0 percent. The state’s labor force participation rate fell to 67 percent from 67.2 percent in February despite solid job growth. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent in March. Those are the statewide numbers.

In the past week, the unadjusted county numbers were released. Similar declines of a tenth to two-tenths of a percent were realized. Boone County dropped from 2.6% to 2.4% in March. Story County actually went up a tenth of a percent from 1.9% in February to 2.0% in March.

Other neighboring counties included Polk County down two-tenths of a percent to 2.9%, Hamilton County down two-tenths to 2.5%, and Webster County down three-tenths of a percent to 2.7%.

Greene County was unchanged at 2.1% and Dallas County was unchanged at 2.5%.

March Unemployment numbers by County

February Unemployment numbers by County

(contributed information, IWD)