Wyoming Unemployment Rate Stable at 4.6% in August 2013
The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted1 unemployment rate was 4.6% in August. It has remained at that level since May. Wyoming’s unemployment rate decreased from its year-ago level of 5.4% and was significantly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 7.3%. Seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents fell slightly, decreasing by 444 individuals (-0.2%) from July to August.
Across Wyoming, county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and fell slightly, or were unchanged from July to August. The largest decreases were seen in Goshen (down from 5.0% to 4.6%), Weston (down from 4.0% to 3.7%), Sheridan (down from 4.7% to 4.4%), and Lincoln (down from 4.9% to 4.6%) counties.
Sublette County posted the lowest unemployment rate in August (3.0%). It was followed by Teton and Converse counties (both 3.1%), and Campbell and Niobrara counties (both 3.5%). The highest unemployment rates were found in Fremont (5.5%), Big Horn (4.8%), and Platte (4.7%) counties.
From August 2012 to August 2013, unemployment rates fell in every county, suggesting modest improvement in the state’s economy. The largest decreases occurred in Lincoln (down from 6.6% to 4.6%) and Laramie (down from 5.8% to 4.4%) counties. Unemployment fell by one percentage point or more in Platte, Crook, Big Horn, Sheridan, Carbon, Uinta, and Goshen counties.
Total nonfarm employment (measured by place of work) rose from 296,600 in August 2012 to 300,200 in August 2013, a gain of 3,600 jobs (1.2%).
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.
