Marion's Unemployment Rate Drops, As Does Iowa's

Marion's unemployment rate fell slightly in November, continuing a downward trend, according to the latest report from Iowa Workforce Development.

The town's unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in October. In November it was 3.6 percent, according to the report. In real numbers, the number of unemployed dropped from 800 to 700, but Marion's labor force and the number of employed also dipped slightly.

The state as a whole is also in a better place. Iowa's unemployment rate dropped from 5.1 percent to 4.9 percent, and a double bonus, more people were employed.

Though the county's unemployment rate stayed steady at 4.8 percent from October to November, but it's down from 6.1 percent in January.

“Iowa’s unemployment rate reached a milestone in November,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development, in a news release. “November marked the first time since December 2008 that the state’s jobless rate was lower than 5.0 percent.”

Across Iowa, the unemployment rate fell from October's 5.1 percent to 4.8 percent in December. Nationally, the rate fell from 7.9 percent to 7.7 percent.