State Adds Jobs, Unemployment Drops

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has seen an increase in nonfarm jobs and a decrease in its unemployment rate in the past year.

Data released Tuesday shows Iowa gained 16,400 nonfarm jobs in 2014. The state's jobless rate dropped to 4.1 percent in December, down from 4.3 percent in November and 4.2 percent in December 2013.

According to a news release, Iowa nonfarm employment increased to 1.56 million jobs, gaining 2,100 jobs from November to December alone. Education and health services, government and construction saw the largest growth in the past year.

U.S. Department of Labor statistics show Iowa is among 46 states and the District of Columbia to lower unemployment rates in 2014.

Beth Townsend, Iowa Workforce Development interim director, says the state's economy "ended on a high note."