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DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Iowa Workforce Development is reporting the state's unemployment rate continued to climb in February, reaching its highest level in more than 20 years. At the same time, the department is also reporting an increased number of jobs.

The unemployment rate rose to 6.7 percent last month, from 6.6 percent in January. It is the highest rate since unemployment reached 6.8 percent in July 1986. The February 2009 unemployment rate was 5.3 percent.

Despite February's increase, Iowa unemployment remains below the national rate of 9.7 percent.

According to Workforce Development, there were 112,500 unemployed Iowans in February, up from 110,700 in January and 89,300 a year earlier.

Seasonally adjusted numbers show a total of 700 non-farm jobs were added between January and February. The biggest gains were in government, education and health services, and construction.

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