The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Wyoming increased slightly from 4.1% in November to 4.3% in December. Senior economist for the State of Wyoming, David Bullard, says most of the unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern, but he says counties that rely on energy production saw their unemployment rate increase more than some others.
Bullard says the increase in unemployment in the energy sector didn’t come as a surprise.
From December 2014 to December 2015, unemployment rates rose in 12 counties and fell in 11 counties. The largest increase occurred in Natrona County, up from 3.9 to 5.5%, Converse County, up from 3 to 4.3%, Campbell County, up from 3.2 to 4.3%, and Sweetwater County, up from 4 to 5.1%.
Sizeable unemployment rate decreases were observed in Teton County, down from 5 to 4%, Lincoln County, down from 5.3 to 4.8%, and Laramie County, down from 4.5 to 4%.
The lowest unemployment rates were found in Albany County, 2.9%, Niobrara County, 2.9%, Goshen County, 3.1%, and Weston County, 3.3%. Fremont County posted the highest unemployment at 6%. It was followed by Natrona County, Sublette, 5.5%, and Uinta County at 5.2%.