From one of its lowest percentages of the year, all counties in the primary coverage area of Raccoon Valley Radio saw an increase in unemployment to end 2018.

According to Iowa Workforce Development, Guthrie County had the highest increase in the percentage of those without a job from November to December of 0.9-percent to 2.5-percent unemployment in December. Greene County went from 1.4-percent unemployment in November to 2.1-percent in December. Dallas County jumped up slightly from 1.2-percent in November to 1.6-percent unemployment in December.

Overall, the statewide unemployment for December was 2.4-percent and the national unemployment rate was 3.9-percent.