Lee County had the highest unemployment rate in Iowa in July, nearly double that of Washington County.

Washington County’s rate remained unchanged from June to July at 2.9%, with 400 people unemployed. While Washington County did not see change from June to July, it’s one of only five counties in the state to see an increase in unemployment when comparing July of 2016 to July of this year. Last July Washington County’s unemployment rate was 2.7%. Area counties that saw increases this summer from June to July include Iowa, Jefferson, and Keokuk Counties. The state’s rate of unemployment was 3.2% in both June and July.

County – June rate %, July rate %
Henry – 3.3, 3.2
Iowa – 2.5, 2.6
Jefferson – 3.1, 3.3
Johnson – 2.9, 2.7
Keokuk – 3.1, 3.5
Louisa – 3.4, 3.3
Washington – 2.9, 2.9
State of Iowa – 3.2, 3.2