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(OTTUMWA, Iowa) - The job market in Southeast Iowa continues to slowly improve.

Iowa Workforce Developmnet released the November unemployment numbers and it shows more SE Iowans are finding jobs.

In Ottumwa, the unemployment rate in November was 8.8%, that is down from 9.2% in November.

That number means roughly 1,050 Ottumwans were out of work in November.

Countywide, the number was 8.2 % down from 8.4%, that represents 1,500 Wapello County residents who are out of a job.

The numbers while improving, still show Southeast Iowa lagging behind the statewide average of 6.9%.

But the Heartland still beats the national average of 9.8%.