Wyoming Labor Force Declines in June
by: David Bullard, Senior Economist

"Approximately 2,400 new jobs were created in the state for a growth rate of 1.0 percent."

W yoming’s labor force (the sum of all employed and unemployed individuals) declined slightly in June 2000. It decreased by 470 people or -0.2 percent when compared with June 1999. The decrease in labor force is largely the result of a rapid decline in the number of unemployed individuals in Wyoming (down 3,318 or 25.8%). Also, a declining labor force suggests that people are withdrawing from the labor force or leaving the state.

Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in June, unchanged from May, but down considerably from its June 1999 level of 5.0 percent. This is comparable to the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.0 percent in June.

Wyoming nonagricultural employment continued to grow at a modest pace in June. Compared with June 1999, approximately 2,400 new jobs were created in the state for a growth rate of 1.0 percent. In contrast, U.S. employment growth in June was 2.4 percent.

Industries which grew quickly in June included Services (1,600 jobs or 2.8%), Government (600 jobs or 1.0%) and oil & gas extraction (500 jobs or 6.6%). Job losses were seen in coal mining (-300 jobs or 6.2%) and Manufacturing (-200 jobs or 1.8%).

The unemployment rate fell in 22 of Wyoming’s 23 counties when compared with June 1999. The exception was Niobrara County, where the unemployment rate increased slightly from 2.4 to 2.6 percent. The largest over-the-year decrease occurred in Hot Springs County where the unemployment rate fell from 5.7 to 3.2 percent. Fremont County had the highest unemployment rate (6.1%) in June and Teton County had the lowest (1.0%).

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