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Local Area Unemployment Statistics for Fourth Quarter 2001

by: Brad Payne, Economist

"Fremont County's fourth quarter 2001 unemployment rate was 5.2 percent; down from 6.0 percent in 2000."

Regular Wyoming Labor Force Trends readers are already familiar with the quarterly information presented for the Covered Employment and Wages program. A new feature in Trends is the quarterly data for the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. Monthly data can still be found in every issue of Trends. This month’s unemployment numbers are located at Wyoming County Unemployment Rates. - Ed.

During the fourth quarter of 2001, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) employment increased statewide by 4,789 jobs or 1.9 percent when compared to the fourth quarter of 2000 (see the Table). The increase in employment is one percentage point below the growth between fourth quarter 1999 and fourth quarter 2000. Similarly, the labor force increased by 5,810 individuals or 2.2 percent between the fourth quarter 2000 and fourth quarter 2001, while unemployment increased by 1,021 or 10.9 percent over the same period. The increase in unemployment is in stark contrast to the 18.6 percent decrease in unemployment between fourth quarter 1999 and fourth quarter 2000. Consequently, the unemployment rate during the fourth quarter 2001 was 3.8 percent, while the unemployment rate during the fourth quarter 2000 was 3.5 percent.

While all regions in Wyoming posted fourth quarter to fourth quarter employment growth, the Northeast region was the largest contributor. In the Northeast region, employment increased 1,863 or 4.3 percent. Due to the growth in the Mining industry, Campbell County’s employment growth of 12.9 percent (2,560 jobs) offset employment losses in all other counties in the region.

The statewide increase in unemployment was driven by the Southwest region where job losses increased by 481 or 25 percent from the fourth quarter 2000 to fourth quarter 2001. Teton County led the region and the state with increased unemployment of 179 or 77.2 percent. The job losses were mainly accounted for in eating & drinking places (SIC 58), hotels & other lodging places (SIC 70), and amusement & recreation services (SIC 79) industries.

The most dramatic quarter to quarter changes in the unemployment rates were found in Teton County and Fremont County. The fourth quarter 2001 unemployment rate in Teton County was 3.6 percent; up from the 2000 level of 2.1 percent. Fremont County’s fourth quarter 2001 unemployment rate was 5.2 percent; down from 6.0 percent in 2000. Fremont County’s decrease in the unemployment rate was driven by a 10.3 percent decrease in the number of unemployed (or 113 jobs) and a 3.3 percent increase in employment (or 570 jobs).

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