Wyoming Jobless Rate Falls to 5.4% in September 2012
The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services has reported that the state's seasonally adjusted1 unemployment rate decreased from 5.7% in August to 5.4% in September (not a statistically significant change). It remained lower than its September 2011 level (5.9%) and significantly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate (7.8%). Seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents increased by 365 individuals (0.1%) from August to September.
From August to September nearly all county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and decreased. The largest over-the-month decreases were seen in Big Horn (down from 6.2% to 5.0%) and Goshen (down from 5.8% to 4.6%) counties. It is possible that these declines were related to the sugar beet harvest.
Sublette County reported the lowest unemployment rate in September (3.0%). It was followed by Niobrara (3.2%), Converse (3.6%), Campbell (3.7%), and Albany (3.7%) counties. The highest unemployment rates were found in Fremont (5.6%), Lincoln (5.4%), and Laramie (5.2%) counties.
From September 2011 to September 2012, jobless rates fell in 22 counties and increased slightly in Sublette County (up from 2.9% to 3.0%). The largest decreases occurred in Lincoln (down from 6.9% to 5.4%), Johnson (down from 6.0% to 4.7%), and Sheridan (down from 6.2% to 4.9%) counties.
The number of nonfarm jobs in Wyoming (measured by place of work) rose from an estimated 292,700 in September 2011 to 295,800 in September 2012, an increase of 3,100 jobs (1.1%).
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.
(r) Revised.
(p) Premilinary