DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.4 percent in November from 4.6 percent in October, the lowest rate recorded since 2008. The comparable rate for November 2012 was 4.9 percent. The U.S. jobless rate dropped to a five-year low of 7.0 percent in November from 7.3 percent in October.
“The Iowa job market appears to be on a path of steady and sustainable improvement,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Workforce Development. “Combined job gains for October and November totaled 5,000, and the state’s unemployment rate is currently at its lowest point in five years.”
The statewide estimate of unemployed persons dropped to a current-year low of 72,500 in November from 75,700 in October. The number of unemployed stood at 79,600 in November 2012.
The total number of working Iowans continued on an upward course in November, climbing to 1,593,200 from 1,583,600 in October. The current figure is 44,900 higher than the November 2012 level of 1,548,300.
