Wyoming Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.4% in June 2012

The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services has reported that the state's seasonally adjusted¹ unemployment rate increased from 5.2% in May to 5.4% in June (not a statistically significant change). Despite this slight increase, Wyoming's jobless rate was considerably lower than its June 2011 level of 6.0% and the current U.S. rate of 8.2%. Seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents decreased by 606 individuals (-0.2%) from May to June.

From May to June, most county jobless rates increased. Unemployment may increase in June as large numbers of young people leave school and join the labor force. The largest increases occurred in Albany (up from 4.0% to 5.3%), Fremont (up from 5.8% to 6.9%), and Platte (up from 5.0% to 6.0%) counties. Jobless rates decreased in two counties: Teton (down from 8.7% to 5.2%) and Lincoln (down from 7.2% to 7.1%).

Lincoln County posted the highest unemployment rate in June (7.1%). It was followed by Fremont (6.9%), Laramie (6.3%), and Big Horn (6.3%) counties. The lowest jobless rates were found in Sublette (3.6%), Campbell (4.6%), and Hot Springs (4.7%) counties.

Compared to a year earlier, most county unemployment rates decreased slightly. The largest decreases occurred in Natrona (down from 5.9% to 5.2%), Hot Springs (down from 5.2% to 4.7%), and Johnson (down from 6.4% to 6.0%) counties.

Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (measured by place of work) rose from 295,800 in June 2011 to 298,300 in June 2012, a gain of 2,500 jobs (0.8%).

¹Seasonal adjustment is a statistical procedure to remove the impact of normal regularly recurring events (such as weather, major holidays, and the opening and closing of schools) from economic time series to better understand changes in economic conditions from month to month.

Last modified by Phil Ellsworth.