Unemployment rises in Iowa
EEconomy

Unemployment rises in Iowa

  • September 18, 2025

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 Data Change from August July August July August 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Civilian labor force 1,739,300 1,737,400 1,715,800 1,900 23,500 Unemployment 65,800 64,900 55,500 900 10,300 Unemployment rate 3.8% 3.7% 3.2% 0.1 0.6 Employment 1,673,500 1,672,400 1,660,300 1,100 13,200 Labor Force Participation Rate 67.5% 67.4% 67.0% 0.1 0.5 U.S. unemployment rate 4.3% 4.2% 4.2% 0.1 0.1 Nonfarm Employment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data Total Nonfarm Employment 1,594,600 1,591,000 1,596,900 3,600 -2,300 Mining 2,100 2,100 2,300 0 -200 Construction 88,000 88,700 84,200 -700 3,800 Manufacturing 216,000 216,100 221,300 -100 -5,300 Trade, transportation and utilities 310,900 310,000 312,900 900 -2,000 Information 17,800 17,900 18,000 -100 -200 Financial activities 103,900 103,800 105,700 100 -1,800 Professional and business services 142,400 140,600 145,500 1,800 -3,100 Education and health services (private) 245,400 245,600 241,000 -200 4,400 Leisure and hospitality 140,800 139,600 143,800 1,200 -3,000 Other services 57,300 57,300 55,600 0 1,700 Government* 270,000 269,300 266,600 700 3,400 *Includes publicly owned education and health services Data Subject to Revision Unemployment Insurance Claims for Iowa % Change from August July August July August 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Initial claims 7,440 9,494 8,442 -21.6% -11.9% Continued claims Benefit recipients 13,783 13,830 14,638 -0.3% -5.8% Weeks paid 36,471 39,670 37,871 -8.1% -3.7% Amount paid $18,791,952 $20,011,763 $19,382,627 -6.1% -3.0%

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