Iowa's Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.7 Percent in August

Iowa Workforce Development Communications
For Immediate Release
Date: September 18, 2015
Contact: Courtney Greene
Telephone: 515-281-9646
Email:  courtney.greene@iwd.iowa.gov

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Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.7 Percent in August

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased slightly to 3.7 percent in August from 3.8 percent in July.  The state’s jobless rate was 4.3 percent one year ago.  The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent in August.

"Following a slight uptick in July, Iowa’s unemployment rate returned to 3.7 percent in August,” said Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Total nonfarm employment was down slightly this month, but the total number of unemployed Iowans decreased to its lowest level since February 2008.”

The number of unemployed Iowans decreased to 62,400 in August from 63,900 in July.  The current estimate is 11,700 lower than the year ago level of 74,100.       

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,637,700 in August.  This figure was 1,200 higher than July, and 2,600 higher than one year ago.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Total nonfarm employment shed 800 jobs in August, lowering employment down to 1,575,900 jobs. The loss is only the second in this year and the smallest absolute monthly movement in 2015.  Private sectors added jobs this month (+1,000), but were hampered by government (-1,800). The loss was due partially to summer programs ending and government education reaching their summer low point. This loss is seasonal and government remains up 1,000 jobs versus last August.

Construction led all private sectors in jobs added this month (+2,100). This gain marks the third consecutive increase for this sector. Finance has added jobs in four consecutive months and rose 1,000 jobs in August. Gains this month were bolstered in small part by hiring in retail and leasing services. The only other sector to add jobs this month was professional and business services (+600). Conversely, losses this month were led by other services (-1,100). This month’s decline could be a natural correction in the monthly data following large gains to begin the year. Manufacturing pared 600 following three months of gains. The loss stems from reductions in durable goods factories as nondurable goods added 100 jobs and is substantially up year over year (+2,900).  Trade and transportation shed jobs for the second month in a row (-500) with losses fueled by disappointing retail hiring this month. Smaller drops included education and health care (-400) and leisure and hospitality (-100).

Annually, nonfarm employment remains 26,100 jobs above last August’s level (+1.7 percent). The private sector has been responsible for most of the growth in Iowa (+25,100). Goods producing industries have added jobs at a faster pace than service sectors and have been fueled by construction (+6,700). Trade and transportation is up 6,000 jobs since last year followed by education and health services (+4,600).

MEDIA ALERT:  An audio cut of comments about Iowa’s labor market situation is available by calling (515) 281-6057.  Statewide and local data will be released on Tuesday, October 20, 2015.

Employment and Unemployment In Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data         Change from   August  2015 July 2015 August  2014 July  2015 August  2014 Civilian labor force 1,700,200 1,700,400 1,709,200 -200 -9,000 Unemployment 62,400 63,900 74,100 -1,500 -11,700 Unemployment rate 3.7% 3.8% 4.3% -0.1 -0.6 Employment 1,637,700 1,636,500 1,635,100 1,200 2,600                 U.S. unemployment rate 5.1% 5.3% 6.1% -0.2 -1.0             Nonfarm Employment In Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data             Total nonfarm employment 1,575,900 1,576,700 1,549,800 -800 26,100 Mining 2,200 2,200 2,200 0 0 Construction 82,100 80,000 75,400 2,100 6,700 Manufacturing 217,000 217,600 216,800 -600 200 Trade, transportation and utilities 318,000 318,500 312,000 -500 6,000 Information 24,700 24,700 25,500 0 -800 Financial activities 107,800 106,800 104,400 1,000 3,400 Professional and business services 138,900 138,300 137,000 600 1,900 Education and health services 228,200 228,600 223,600 -400 4,600 Leisure and hospitality 139,300 139,400 137,100 -100 2,200 Other services 60,000 61,100 59,100 -1,100 900 Government 257,700 259,500 256,700 -1,800 1,000