Montgomery County jobless increases to state average

 DES MOINES – Montgomery County’s unemployment rate increased to the state average in June but remains considerably lower from 2013, according to data released by the Iowa Workforce Division. 

After bottoming out at 4.1 percent in April, Montgomery County’s jobless rate increased to 4.2 percent in May and 4.4 percent in June. The .2 percent increase represents 20 additional people receiving unemployment benefits at 230, up from 210. 

Statewide, the rate remained at 4.4 percent for a second consecutive month in June. The national unemployment rate continued to plunge, currently at 6.1 percent compared to 6.3 percent in May. 

While Montgomery County’s rate has slightly increased each of the last two months, it is down considerably from its 2014 high water mark of 5.5 percent in January. The jobless rate this year is also less than 2013, when it was at 5.1 percent in June and 6.1 percent in January. 

The 4.1 percent rate in April, which represented 200 people receiving unemployment benefits, was the lowest since December 2005, when it was at 4.4 percent.

By comparison, in 2009, the unemployment rate in the county ranged from a low of 8.1 percent in July to 9.9 percent in March.