Iowa unemployment steady at 6 percent

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Iowa’s unemployment rate held at 6 percent in June, its third consecutive month at that level, Iowa Workforce Development said today.

That compares with a 6.1 percent rate a year ago. The national unemployment rate was up to 9.2 percent in June compared with 9.1 percent in May.

The total number of unemployed persons increased by 400 to 100,900 in June from May, but has fallen by 1,500 since June 2010. The total number of working Iowans fell to 1,576,100 in June, its lowest point for the year. The figure compares with 1,582,500 for May and 1,566,800 for a year ago.

The private sector added 500 jobs. Both retail trade and transportation added 2,000 jobs in the month to lead all sectors, and health services gained 1,300 jobs. Local governments cut 4,600 jobs in June, mostly due to a seasonal shift in employment.

Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development, said in a press release that Iowa’s economic recovery remains on track heading into the second half of the year.