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Counties with the highest unemployment rate in Iowa
Unemployment rates, while significantly lower than the alarming pandemic peak of 14.7% experienced in April 2020, remain a subject of concern, notably as bandy around the idea of a by 2023. The last economic recession鈥攖he Great Recession of 2008-2010鈥攕ent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. It was that unemployment finally went down to the same level it sits at now.
As of October of this year, national unemployment is at 3.7%, 0.2% higher than in September. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by state demonstrate , ranging from just 2.0% in Minnesota, to 4.5% in Illinois and 4.7% in the District of Columbia. Further breakdown by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows yet another county-based spectrum within each state.
To that end, compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rate in Iowa using data from the . Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in September 2022.
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#50. Worth County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 3,970 (84 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 3,970 (84 unemployed)
#49. Wright County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 6,684 (143 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 6,684 (143 unemployed)
#48. Harrison County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 7,161 (157 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 7,161 (157 unemployed)
#47. Jefferson County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 10,139 (218 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 10,139 (218 unemployed)
#46. Monroe County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.9%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 3,960 (88 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.9%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 3,960 (88 unemployed)
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#45. Montgomery County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 4,875 (107 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 4,875 (107 unemployed)
#44. Poweshiek County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 10,980 (238 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.6%
- Total labor force: 10,980 (238 unemployed)
#43. Tama County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.2%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 9,087 (202 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 9,087 (202 unemployed)
#42. Cerro Gordo County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 22,344 (512 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 22,344 (512 unemployed)
#41. Clay County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 8,600 (195 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 8,600 (195 unemployed)
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#40. Emmet County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 4,916 (111 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 4,916 (111 unemployed)
#39. Fayette County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 10,108 (234 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 10,108 (234 unemployed)
#38. Floyd County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.9%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 8,118 (188 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.9%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 8,118 (188 unemployed)
#37. Guthrie County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 5,519 (127 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 5,519 (127 unemployed)
#36. Hardin County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 7,840 (182 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 7,840 (182 unemployed)
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#35. Monona County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 4,363 (102 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 4,363 (102 unemployed)
#34. Page County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 6,307 (145 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 6,307 (145 unemployed)
#33. Union County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 6,135 (141 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 6,135 (141 unemployed)
#32. Van Buren County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 3,667 (86 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.7%
- Total labor force: 3,667 (86 unemployed)
#31. Woodbury County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 55,811 (1,279 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 55,811 (1,279 unemployed)
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#30. Appanoose County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 5,902 (141 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 5,902 (141 unemployed)
#29. Buchanan County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 11,241 (266 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.4%
- Total labor force: 11,241 (266 unemployed)
#28. Clarke County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 4,844 (114 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 4,844 (114 unemployed)
#27. Clayton County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 9,642 (229 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 9,642 (229 unemployed)
#26. Fremont County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 3,685 (89 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.3%
--- 1 year change: -0.1%
- Total labor force: 3,685 (89 unemployed)
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#25. Hamilton County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 6,937 (168 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 6,937 (168 unemployed)
#24. Madison County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 8,645 (209 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 8,645 (209 unemployed)
#23. Polk County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 275,236 (6,614 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.3%
- Total labor force: 275,236 (6,614 unemployed)
#22. Pottawattamie County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 48,470 (1,152 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 48,470 (1,152 unemployed)
#21. Winnebago County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.4%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 4,897 (116 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 4,897 (116 unemployed)
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#20. Henry County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 9,752 (243 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 9,752 (243 unemployed)
#19. Jasper County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 18,639 (470 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 18,639 (470 unemployed)
#18. Jones County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 10,284 (258 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 10,284 (258 unemployed)
#17. Louisa County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.5%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 5,857 (145 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 5,857 (145 unemployed)
#16. Benton County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 13,067 (342 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 13,067 (342 unemployed)
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#15. Black Hawk County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 68,886 (1,767 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 68,886 (1,767 unemployed)
#14. Dubuque County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 55,438 (1,461 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.2%
--- 1 year change: -0.8%
- Total labor force: 55,438 (1,461 unemployed)
#13. Jackson County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 10,688 (277 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 10,688 (277 unemployed)
#12. Keokuk County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 5,118 (131 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 5,118 (131 unemployed)
#11. Muscatine County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 20,868 (538 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 20,868 (538 unemployed)
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#10. Allamakee County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 7,023 (190 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.1%
--- 1 year change: -0.6%
- Total labor force: 7,023 (190 unemployed)
#9. Wapello County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.7%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 17,112 (470 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 17,112 (470 unemployed)
#8. Webster County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.8%
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 18,397 (510 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.8%
--- 1 year change: -0.9%
- Total labor force: 18,397 (510 unemployed)
#7. Crawford County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 7,804 (225 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.2%
- Total labor force: 7,804 (225 unemployed)
#6. Linn County
- Current unemployment rate: 2.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
- Total labor force: 121,614 (3,561 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -1.4%
- Total labor force: 121,614 (3,561 unemployed)
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#5. Scott County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.0%
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 91,080 (2,717 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.4%
--- 1 year change: -1.5%
- Total labor force: 91,080 (2,717 unemployed)
#4. Clinton County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.3%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 22,079 (724 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -1.1%
- Total labor force: 22,079 (724 unemployed)
#3. Marshall County
- Current unemployment rate: 3.6%
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 16,968 (619 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.7%
--- 1 year change: -1.0%
- Total labor force: 16,968 (619 unemployed)
#2. Des Moines County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.1%
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -2.1%
- Total labor force: 18,188 (740 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.6%
--- 1 year change: -2.1%
- Total labor force: 18,188 (740 unemployed)
#1. Lee County
- Current unemployment rate: 4.9%
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 15,308 (755 unemployed)
--- 1 month change: -0.5%
--- 1 year change: -0.2%
- Total labor force: 15,308 (755 unemployed)
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