Local Area Unemployment Statistics for First Quarter 2003

Local Area Unemployment Statistics for First Quarter 2003

by: Brad Payne, Economist

During first quarter 2003, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) employment increased statewide by 3,854 jobs (1.5%) when compared to first quarter 2002 (see Table). While employment rose between first quarter 2002 and 2003, employment declined 0.5 percent between first quarter 2001 and 2002. The labor force increased by 3,797 (1.4%) between first quarter 2002 and 2003 while unemployment decreased by 57 (0.4%) over the same time period. The 0.4 percent decrease in unemployment is in stark contrast to the increase posted between first quarter 2001 and 2002 (when unemployment increased 7.1%). The average unemployment rate during first quarter 2003 was 5.1 percent while unemployment rates during first quarters 2002 and 2001 were 5.1 and 4.8 percent, respectively.

Each of Wyoming’s five regions experienced positive over-the-year employment growth. The Southwest Region recorded the highest rate of growth (2.9%) by adding 1,439 jobs. Employment growth in Lincoln (216 jobs), Sublette (96 jobs), Sweetwater (63 jobs), Teton (696 jobs), and Uinta (369 jobs) counties contributed to the regional growth.

Decreased unemployment in the Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast Regions offset a 14.3 percent unemployment increase in the Northeast Region. In the Northeast Region the number of unemployed in Campbell County grew by 181 individuals (21.8%). Conversely, the largest decline in unemployment was found in Sweetwater County where the number of unemployed individuals fell by 141 (12.5%). The Northeast Region was the only to show rising unemployment in each of its underlying counties.

The most dramatic quarter to quarter increases in unemployment rates were found in Niobrara, Johnson, and Converse counties. Niobrara County’s over-the-year unemployment rate change was 1.5 percent (up from 4.0% in the first quarter 2002 to 5.5% in the first quarter 2003). Johnson County’s unemployment rate increased from 3.6 percent in the first quarter 2002 to 4.6 percent in the first quarter 2003 (a change of 0.9%). Converse County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.1 percent to 5.9 percent (a change of 0.8%). In Niobrara, Johnson, and Converse counties, large increases in unemployment (38%, 31%, and 17%, respectively) with small increases in the labor force contributed to the rise in the unemployment rates.

The largest declines in unemployment rates between the first quarters of 2002 and 2003 were posted in Hot Springs, Washakie, and Big Horn counties. The unemployment rates fell from 6.5 to 4.4 percent in Hot Springs County (a difference of 2.1 percentage points), 6.9 to 5.5 percent in Washakie County (difference of 1.4 percentage points), and 7.2 to 6.2 percent in Big Horn County (difference of 1.0 percentage points). The decreases in the unemployment rates for Hot Springs, Washakie, and Big Horn counties were driven by large decreases in unemployment (37%, 20%, and 14%, respectively.

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