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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 economic experts bandy around the idea of a potential recession by 2023. The last economic recession—the Great Recession of 2008-2010—sent rates up to 10% as of October 2009. It was not until the spring of 2019 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 a rather sizable spectrum, 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, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rate in Iowa using data from the BLS. 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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