Ames, Iowa Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Ames fell 0.2 percentage points in February 2019 to 1.4%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 1.0 percentage points lower than the Iowa rate. The unemployment rate in Ames peaked in July 2009 at 4.9% and is now 3.5 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 1.4% in August 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also compare Ames unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	February 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.8%	-0.2	-0.3
Iowa	2.4%	0.0	-0.3
Ames	1.4%	-0.2	-0.3

Note: Metro level data is now seasonally adjusted.¹ All comparisons are made with February 2019 data as March metro level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Ames, Iowa, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Ames, Iowa Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Ames peaked in July 2009 at 2,405. There are now 1,588 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. Ames employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Ames, Iowa) is also available.

Unemployed Persons	February 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Ames	817	-135	-169

Number of Unemployed Persons

Ames, Iowa Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Iowa Unemployment Rate	Ames Unemployment Rate	Ames Unemployed
March 2019	3.8%	2.4%	—	—
February 2019	3.8%	2.4%	1.4%	817
January 2019	4.0%	2.4%	1.6%	952
December 2018	3.9%	2.4%	1.5%	904
November 2018	3.7%	2.4%	1.5%	884
October 2018	3.8%	2.4%	1.4%	832
September 2018	3.7%	2.4%	1.4%	833
August 2018	3.8%	2.4%	1.4%	829
July 2018	3.9%	2.4%	1.5%	872
June 2018	4.0%	2.5%	1.5%	890
May 2018	3.8%	2.6%	1.7%	987
April 2018	3.9%	2.6%	1.8%	1,019