Iowa unemployment decreases

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent in January, offering further evidence that the recovery strengthened during the fourth quarter of 2011. The statewide jobless rate was reported at 5.6 percent in December, and at 6.1 percent in January 2011. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent in January. “The Iowa economy is improving,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “The state’s unemployment rate has been tracking downward rapidly since fourth quarter 2011, as the recovery picked up speed.” Newly revised figures for 2011 show that the statewide unemployment rate averaged 5.9 percent in 2011, which was the sixth-lowest rate in the nation

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent in January, offering further evidence that the recovery strengthened during the fourth quarter of 2011. The statewide jobless rate was reported at 5.6 percent in December, and at 6.1 percent in January 2011. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent in January. “The Iowa economy is improving,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “The state’s unemployment rate has been tracking downward rapidly since fourth quarter 2011, as the recovery picked up speed.” Newly revised figures for 2011 show that the statewide unemployment rate averaged 5.9 percent in 2011, which was the sixth-lowest rate in the nation