Newton Independent
Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent in July from a revised June rate of 5.1 percent, a level lower than the 6.0 percent a year ago and the national unemployment rate of 8.3 percent in July.
"The July jobs report demonstrates a slow and fragile economic recovery," said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development.
The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 88,200 in July from 85,300 in June, though the figure is nearly 11,000 lower the level of jobless Iowans a year ago. The total number of working Iowans also decreased by about 10,000 in July from June at 1,563,400.
Iowa's nonfarm employment increased by 2,300 jobs in July which halts two consecutive months of decreases. However, the job gains were narrow in scope occurring only in wholesale and retail trade, other services, local government and health care.
Construction, professional and business services, manufacturing and leisure and hospitality all shed jobs last month.
County unemployment statistics will be released next week.
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