State 4-24-18
The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.0% in February to 3.9% in March, which was its lowest level in three years. Wyoming’s unemployment rate was slightly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1%.
From February to March, most county unemployment rates held steady or decreased slightly. It is normal for unemployment rates to fall in March, as employment tends to increase in construction, government, and other sectors. The largest decreases were seen in Johnson (down from 4.9% to 4.3%), Natrona (down from 5.0% to 4.7%), and Laramie (down from 4.1% to 3.8%) counties. Unemployment rates rose slightly in Albany (up from 2.8% to 3.0%) and Weston (up from 3.7% to 3.9%) counties.
From March 2017 to March 2018, unemployment rates fell in 21 counties and rose in two counties. The largest decreases occurred in Sublette (down from 5.8% to 4.1%), Campbell (down from 5.7% to 4.2%), and Natrona (down from 6.0% to 4.7%) counties. Small unemployment rate increases were seen in Washakie (up from 4.7% to 5.2%) and Sheridan (up from 4.7% to 5.0%) counties.
Fremont County reported the highest unemployment rate in March at 5.5%. It was followed by Park (5.2%), Washakie (5.2%), and Sheridan (5.0%) counties. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Teton (2.5%), Niobrara (2.5%), Goshen (2.9%), and Albany (3.0%) counties.
Total nonfarm employment (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) rose from 274,900 in March 2017 to 278,200 in March 2018, an increase of 3,300 jobs (or 1.2%; not a statistically significant change).
Research & Planning has scheduled the April employment news release for May 22, 2018.
The complete news release, including tables is available at http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/news.htm