Wyoming Unemployment Rate Falls in January
by: David Bullard, Senior Economist

"The state's employment growth rate of 2.8 percent was more than double the U.S. growth rate of 1.3 percent in January."

Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.3 percent in January 2001, down 0.4 percentage points from December 2000 and 0.7 points from January 2000. In comparison, the U.S. unemployment rate increased to 4.2 percent in January.

Strong employment growth continued in Wyoming as 6,300 jobs were created when compared with January 2000. The state’s employment growth rate of 2.8 percent was more than double the U.S. growth rate of 1.3 percent in January.

Rapidly growing industries included Mining, Retail Trade and Services. Mining added 1,500 jobs or 9.0 percent as strong gains in oil & gas extraction were partially offset by job losses in coal mining. Retail Trade gained 1,400 jobs or 3.2 percent when compared with January 2000. Within Services, the largest increases were seen in business services (500 jobs or 6.8%) and health services (600 jobs or 5.7%).

The only major industry which lost jobs when compared with January 2000 was Transportation, Communications, & Public Utilities. Employment in this industry fell by 200 jobs or 1.4 percent mostly because of layoffs in telephone communications.

Wyoming’s two metropolitan areas experienced strong job growth in January. Casper gained 900 jobs or 2.9 percent and Cheyenne gained 1,000 jobs or 2.8 percent. In Casper, Mining and Wholesale Trade each added 200 jobs. In Cheyenne, Services and Government each gained 300 jobs.

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