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MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates of unemployment and employment statistics for Wisconsin metropolitan areas, major cities and counties in Wisconsin.
In brief, the non-seasonally adjusted data for Wisconsin showed:
- Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary December 2018 unemployment rates for Wisconsin’s 12 metro areas declined or stayed the same when compared over the year to December 2017. The largest over-the-year decrease occurred in Wausau (-0.2 percent). The Janesville-Beloit and Racine metro areas tied their lowest unemployment rate on record.
- Municipalities: Preliminary December unemployment rates declined or stayed the same in 26 of Wisconsin’s 32 largest cities. The largest over-the-year decrease occurred in Franklin (-0.4 percent). Unemployment rates ranged from a low of 1.9 percent in Fitchburg, Madison and Sun Prairie to a high of 3.8 percent in Racine. Nine Wisconsin cities tied or set a new record for their lowest unemployment rate on record: Wausau, Racine, Neenah, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Janesville, Green Bay, Fond Du Lac, and Beloit.
- Counties: Preliminary unemployment rates for December 2018 declined or stayed the same in 52 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties over-the-year. The largest over-the-year decline occurred in Florence County (0.8 percent). Dane County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in December (1.9 percent). Three Wisconsin counties, Rock, Racine and Milwaukee, tied their record low unemployment rates.
The data included in today’s release can be accessed at WisConomy.com.
