DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa’s unemployment rate rose in August, according to a new report released Thursday by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD).
Iowa’s unemployment rate now stands at 3.8%. That’s up from 3.7% in July.
IWD also reports the total number of unemployed Iowans also increased from 64,900 in July to 65,800 in August.
However, the report also shows that the number of unemployed Iowans has increased by nearly 10,000 since August 2024 when IWD reported there were 55,500 unemployed Iowans.
IWD reports Iowa employers added 3,600 jobs during the month of August.
Iowa’s workforce participation rate grew to 67.5% — up from 67.$% in July.
The U.S. unemployment rate also increased in August. The national rate now sits at 4.3% compared to 4.2% in July.
Employment and Unemployment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted DataChange fromAugustJulyAugustJulyAugust20252025202420252024Civilian labor force1,739,3001,737,4001,715,8001,90023,500Unemployment65,80064,90055,50090010,300Unemployment rate3.8%3.7%3.2%0.10.6Employment1,673,5001,672,4001,660,3001,10013,200Labor Force Participation Rate67.5%67.4%67.0%0.10.5U.S. unemployment rate4.3%4.2%4.2%0.10.1Nonfarm Employment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted DataTotal Nonfarm Employment1,594,6001,591,0001,596,9003,600-2,300Mining2,1002,1002,3000-200Construction88,00088,70084,200-7003,800Manufacturing216,000216,100221,300-100-5,300Trade, transportation and utilities310,900310,000312,900900-2,000Information17,80017,90018,000-100-200Financial activities103,900103,800105,700100-1,800Professional and business services142,400140,600145,5001,800-3,100Education and health services (private)245,400245,600241,000-2004,400Leisure and hospitality140,800139,600143,8001,200-3,000Other services57,30057,30055,60001,700Government*270,000269,300266,6007003,400*Includes publicly owned education and health servicesData Subject to RevisionUnemployment Insurance Claims for Iowa% Change fromAugustJulyAugustJulyAugust20252025202420252024Initial claims7,4409,4948,442-21.6%-11.9%Continued claims Benefit recipients13,78313,83014,638-0.3%-5.8% Weeks paid36,47139,67037,871-8.1%-3.7% Amount paid$18,791,952$20,011,763$19,382,627-6.1%-3.0%
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