The latest unemployment numbers from Iowa Workforce Development show improvement in Marion County. The rate dropped from 4 to 3.7 percent from July to August in Marion County, and the number of unemployed in the state of Iowa held steady at 4.5 percent. According to Iowa Workforce Development, the number of employed Iowans increased by just over 3000 people. The national unemployment rate dropped to 6.1 percent in August compared to 6.2 percent in July.