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MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates of unemployment and employment statistics for Wisconsin metropolitan areas, major cities and counties in Wisconsin. The estimates include updates to October data and preliminary estimates for November. Local unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. In brief, the estimates show:
- Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary November 2018 year-over-year unemployment rates declined in 11 of Wisconsin’s 12 metro areas compared to November 2017. Racine (3.1 percent) and La Crosse (2.1 percent) tied their all-time low unemployment rates for any month in November 2018. Six Wisconsin metro areas either tied or achieved their lowest November unemployment rate on record in 2018.
- Municipalities: Preliminary November 2018 year-over-year unemployment rates declined or stayed the same in 27 of Wisconsin’s 32 largest cities when compared to November 2017. Four Wisconsin cities either tied or achieved their lowest unemployment rate for any month on record including Green Bay (2.5 percent), Manitowoc (2.7 percent), Neenah (2.3 percent) and Racine (3.9 percent). Seventeen of Wisconsin 32 largest cities either tied or achieved their lowest November unemployment rate on record.
- Counties: Compared to November 2017, preliminary unemployment rates declined or stayed the same in 62 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. Seven Wisconsin counties set or tied their all-time low unemployment rate for any month on record. Those counties include Waupaca, Richland, Racine, Pepin, Menominee, Lincoln and Crawford. Thirty-eight of Wisconsin’s 72 counties tied or achieved their lowest November unemployment rate on record in 2018.
Today’s release of local employment and unemployment estimates follows the recent statewide release for the month of November which showed that Wisconsin’s statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3 percent for the 10th straight month, a state record.
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, noting 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 WisConomy website.
