Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa Unemployment

The BLS reported that the unemployment rate for Waterloo rose 0.2 percentage points in July 2019 to 2.7%. For the same month, the metro unemployment rate was 0.2 percentage points higher than the Iowa rate. The unemployment rate in Waterloo peaked in February 2010 at 6.2% and is now 3.5 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.2% in October 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.5 percentage points. You can also compare Waterloo unemployment with unemployment in other cities.

Unemployment Rate	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.2
Iowa	2.5%	+0.1	+0.1
Waterloo	2.7%	+0.2	+0.2

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

Unemployment Rate: Waterloo, Iowa, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray.

Waterloo, Iowa Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Waterloo peaked in July 2009 at 5,714. There are now 3,249 fewer people unemployed in the metropolitan area. From a recent trough of 1,995 in November 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 470. Waterloo employment and jobs data (including jobs lost/gained in Waterloo, Iowa) is also available.

Unemployed Persons	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Waterloo	2,465	+192	+228

Number of Unemployed Persons

Waterloo, Iowa Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Iowa Unemployment Rate	Waterloo Unemployment Rate	Waterloo Unemployed
September 2019	3.5%	—	—	—
August 2019	3.7%	2.5%	—	—
July 2019	3.7%	2.5%	2.7%	2,465
June 2019	3.7%	2.4%	2.5%	2,273
May 2019	3.6%	2.4%	2.5%	2,233
April 2019	3.6%	2.4%	2.5%	2,212
March 2019	3.8%	2.4%	2.5%	2,213
February 2019	3.8%	2.4%	2.4%	2,179
January 2019	4.0%	2.4%	2.4%	2,174
December 2018	3.9%	2.4%	2.2%	2,002
November 2018	3.7%	2.4%	2.2%	1,995
October 2018	3.8%	2.4%	2.2%	2,004