BOONE, Iowa—Last week, Iowa Workforce Development announced Iowa’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.0 percent in June 2021 from 3.9 percent in May 2021. The state’s jobless rate was 7.1 percent one year ago. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,587,800 in June of 2021, which is 59,300 higher than June 2020 and 3,800 more than May of 2021. In addition to 3,800 newly employed Iowans, the number of unemployed Iowans looking for work rose by 2,400, resulting in Iowa’s labor force participation rate increasing from 66.4% in May to 66.6%.

“Despite an increase in the unemployment rate, the overall trends are positive including the regular increase in the number of Iowans working and looking for work,” said Director Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development.  “Additionally, the total number of Iowans who are working increased by 3,800 in June. It is a good sign to see more Iowans enter the labor force after leaving federal unemployment programs mid-June. With over 70,000 open jobs, we need everyone we can get to rejoin the workforce to continue our economic recovery.”

Individual county comparisons are also available and shows the changes from May to June. Locally, Boone County increased to 3.9% from 3.6%.  Story County went from 3.0% in May to 3.6% in June. Polk County also went up from 4.5% in May to 5.0%. The largest jump in the area was Webster County a 1.3% increase from 4.3% to 5.6%.