Iowa Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Iowa rose 0.1 percentage points in November 2023 to 3.3%. The state unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Iowa peaked in April 2020 at 10.9% and is now 7.6 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.3% in April 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 1.0 percentage points. You can also see Iowa unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	-0.1	+0.1
Iowa	3.3%	+0.1	+0.2

Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Iowa, National

Iowa monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to November 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Iowa Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Iowa peaked in April 2020 at 183,898. There are now 126,695 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 40,087 in April 2022, the number of unemployed has now grown by 17,116. Iowa job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Iowa	57,203	+1,212	+4,352

Number of Unemployed Persons