 |
 |
 |
|
Comment on This Story / Send This Article to a Friend
Business North - The Daily Briefing - Business Newspaper Online
Unemployment increases in Northwest Wisconsin, but improves statewide
|
11/25/2009 |
MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today released October 2009 local unemployment rate estimates for Wisconsin cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
"The October local rates show some improvement in all but two metro areas as well as in many counties,” Secretary Gassman said. “Early economic growth appears to be taking hold, but significant challenges remain. We remain focused on helping the unemployed, and all job seekers, connect with employers to keep the economy going forward.”
METRO AREAS
Unemployment rates decreased in 10 of the state’s 12 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) in October compared to September. When compared to rates of October 2008, all 12 MSAs had higher unemployment rates last month. The Madison MSA had the lowest rate in October at 5.5 percent. The Janesville MSA recorded the highest rate at 10.9 percent.
Preliminary figures for nonfarm wage and salary jobs showed an increase in 8 of the 11 reporting areas, while three recorded decreases in jobs over the month. Compared to last year, all 11 areas recorded job losses in September.
COUNTIES
Unemployment rates decreased in 27 of 72 Wisconsin counties in October and remained the same in 10. Dane County and Pepin County both recorded rates of 5.2 percent for October, earning them the lowest rate among the counties for the month, as was the case in September. Also like September, the highest rates were recorded in Menominee County (13.1 percent) and Rock County (10.9 percent).
On an annual basis, unemployment rates increased in all 72 counties. The smallest increase occurred in Pepin County, which recorded a 1.5 percentage point increase. Grant and Dane Counties recorded rate increases of 1.8 percent and 1.9 percent respectively. There were 27 counties with annual rate increases of 2.0 percent to 2.9 percent, and 28 with increases between 3.0 percent and 3.9 percent. Rate increases in the 4.0 - 4.9 percent range occurred in 13 counties, while one, Lincoln County, experienced a rate increase of 5.0 percentage points over October 2008.
Northwest Wisconsin unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted
Rank/ County/ Oct. rate/ Sept. rate/ Last rank/ Year ago
26 ASHLAND 8.3% 8.3% 20 5.0%
46 BARRON 7.2% 7.1% 47 4.7%
52 BAYFIELD 6.9% 6.2% 62 4.4%
8 BURNETT 9.3% 9.1% 13 5.5%
47 DOUGLAS 7.2% 6.5% 58 4.5%
22 PRICE 8.6% 9.4% 8 4.0%
4 RUSK 10.1% 10.1% 3 5.4%
42 SAWYER 7.5% 7.1% 49 5.2%
31 WASHBURN 8.1% 7.8% 32 5.7%
City of Superior 7.1% 6.5% 29 4.3%
Previous Daily Briefing Articles:
