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40 Wisconsin counties, 17 cities experience or tie lowest June unemployment rate on record

 

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates of unemployment and employment statistics for metro areas, major cities and counties in Wisconsin.  The estimates include updates to May 2018 and preliminary estimates for June 2018.  These numbers are not seasonally adjusted.  The estimates show:

  • Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary June 2018 unemployment rates declined in 11 of the states 12 metro areas over the year from June 2017 to June 2018, and stayed the same in one.  The rates ranged from 2.8 percent in Madison to 4.1 percent in Racine.  Four metro areas — Eau Claire, Janesville-Beloit, Racine and Wausau – recorded or tied their lowest June unemployment rate on record (1990).
  • Municipalities: Preliminary June 2018 unemployment rates decreased or stayed the same in 28 of Wisconsin’s 32 largest cities over the year from June 2017 to June 2018.  The rates ranged from 2.7 percent in Fitchburg and Sun Prairie to 5.0 percent in Racine and Beloit.  Seventeen Wisconsin cities experienced or tied their lowest June unemployment rate on record (1990).
  • Counties: Preliminary June 2018 unemployment rates declined or stayed the same in 70 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties from June 2017 to June 2018.  The rates ranged from 2.5 percent in Lafayette to 6.3 percent in Menominee.  Forty of the state’s 72 counties experienced or tied their lowest June unemployment rate on record (1990).

The release of June 2018 local rates follows last week’s release of BLS monthly statewide estimates which showed that Wisconsin maintained an unemployment rate under 3 percent for five consecutive months for the first time in state history.  Additionally, Wisconsin currently has record numbers of people employed and participating in the state’s labor force. The data also showed the state added 17,600 manufacturing jobs from June 2017 to June 2018, ranking 2nd nationally for most manufacturing jobs added over the year and 1st in the Midwest.

When compared to other states, Wisconsin ranks in the top 10 nationally in numerous measurements:

  • Wisconsin ranks 2nd nationally in manufacturing jobs added in 2018
  • Wisconsin’s ranks 9th nationally in number of manufacturing jobs added since 2010
  • Wisconsin’s addition of 5,500 private sector jobs from May 2018 to June 2018 ranked 14th nationally
  • Wisconsin’s addition of 1,300 construction jobs from May 2018 to June 2018 ranked 8th nationally
  • Wisconsin’s construction growth rate of 1.1 percent from May 2018 to June 2018 ranked 10th nationally
  • Wisconsin’s addition of 7,400 total non-farm jobs from May 2018 to June 2018 ranked 11th nationally and 3rd in the Midwest
  • Wisconsin’s unemployment rate of 2.9 percent ranked 7th lowest nationally and 2nd lowest in the Midwest, trailing only Iowa
  • Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate of 68.9 percent ranked 5th highest nationally
  • Wisconsin’s year over year manufacturing growth rate of 3.8 percent ranked 6th nationally and 2nd in the Midwest

Other indicators of the state of Wisconsin’s economy include:

  • Initial UI claims ended 2017 at their lowest level in the last 30 years.
  • Continuing unemployment claims ended 2017 at their lowest level since 1973.
  • Moody’s investor Service recently upgraded the state’s credit rating, nothing that “(T)he stable outlook reflects the expectation that the state will experience moderate economic growth and will continue its prudent fiscal management practices.”

The data included in today’s release can be accessed on the state’s WisConomy website.

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