Resident employment in Lyon County has increased by about 710 people between 2000 and 2015 (11.3%). The number of individuals in the labor market also increased at the same rate (11.3%)
Lyon County’s unemployment rate has been much lower than the U.S. unemployment rate between 2000 and 2015. Average unemployment rate in Lyon County over this time period is 3%, which is lower than Iowa (4.5%) and much lower than the average in the U.S. (6.4%).
Lyon County’s unemployment rate was significantly lower than the nation during the Great Recession. The unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in the State of Iowa and 4.3% in Lyon County in 2009. However, as of 2015, the unemployment rate has fallen to 2%, which is lower than Iowa’s unemployment rate (3.7%). With an unemployment rate of 2%, the job market has become tight and will likely result in employers having difficulty finding labor to fill jobs.
In a recent survey of employers (2016) most employers said their employees commute from a 25 to 35-mile radius from their workplace. Hiring is expected to remain steady or increase over the next five years as service needs and business conditions dictate.
Largest Employers
- Grand Falls Casino and Resort is the largest employer in Lyon County with a total of 450 employees.
- Diversified Technologies (Sudenga and Dur-A-Lift) is the second largest employer in Lyon County with a total of 225 employees.
Data source: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). 2016 Lyon County Housing Study