1. Iowa Workforce Development

2. Source: Labor Market and Workforce Information Division, Iowa Workforce Development.

6. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Decennial Census.

7. Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Decennial Census Counts.

8. Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, Iowa Workforce Development. 2010 refers to year ending September 30, 2010.

9. Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, Iowa Workforce Development. 2010 refers to year ending September 30, 2010.

10. Source: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, Iowa Workforce Development. 2010 refers to year ending September 30, 2010.

11. Consumer spending strengthened in fourth quarter. Housing remained weak; home sales in Iowa dropped slightly to 30,389 in 2010 from 31,795 in 2009. The recovery is dependent on hiring in the private sector due to cutbacks in state and local government.

12. Long-term unemployment Bankruptcies Foreclosures Budget shortfalls in state and local governments Slow hiring due to uncertainty

13. Hiring in Iowa has been suppressed for over two years. Layoffs have hit workers in middle- skilled jobs the hardest; many will need to retrain for new jobs. The housing crisis has limited mobility for unemployed persons.

14. Hiring has occurred in Iowa’s major durable goods plants (Alcoa, Deere, Rockwell Collins, Winnebago). Manufacturing grew at a faster pace in the Midwest in 2010 than in the U.S. Iowa’s strong agricultural economy is also fueling some of the demand.

15. Note: The Sioux City MSA is defined as Woodbury County, IA; Dakota County, NE; Dixon County, NE; and Union County, SD.

16. Housing has begun to stabilize. Business investment is strong. Consumer spending has strengthened. Household wealth has improved due to the rally in the stock market. Initial claims for Unemployment Insurance (UI) dropped in 2010. Average weekly hours worked increased in 2010, particularly in manufacturing.

17. Source: Labor Market and Workforce Information Division, Iowa Workforce Development.

20. For further information contact: Ann Wagner, Research Analyst Ann.Wagner@iwd.iowa.gov Iowa Workforce Development