The Wisconsin unemployment rate rose 0.3% in July to a 2012-high of 7.3%. This is the 4th straight month with an increase and is the highest rate in WI since October 2011. It's also the largest monthly increase for the state since a 0.4% increase in April 2009. For the month there are around 8,000 more unemployed people than June 2012. Additionally, there are around 15,000 fewer workers employed in WI for the month. On a positive note, Wisconsin's July unemployment rate is still a full percentage point better than the national average of 8.3%.
Wisconsin's July 2012 unemployment rate is still better than a year ago when the rate was up to 7.6%. Compared to July 2011, there are around 9,400 fewer unemployed individuals in Wisconsin. During that time, the total civilian labor force has also increased by around 9,800. Additionally, the number of people employed in WI has increased by just over 19,000. The combination of these statistics is the 0.3% decrease in the unemployment rate in Wisconsin for the year.
A different story unfolds when we review the unemployment rates for Wisconsin's metropolitan areas. In July, almost all of the cities reported on by the Department of Labor experienced improvements in their unemployment rates. The City of Madison went from 5.6% to 5.4%. The City of Appleton's rate fell for the month from 6.8% to 6.6%. The Eau Claire Area also fell to 6.9% in July from 7.0% in June. Green Bay was also lower, going from 7.0% to 6.8%, as was the City of Janesville, dropping 0.5% to 8.9%. The Milwaukee Metro Area fell to 8.2% from 8.4%. Racine's rate remained unchanged for the month of July at 8.2%.
Another method of reviewing employment statistics for the state is to look at the metrics by industry. For Wisconsin, Manufacturing, Information, and Other Services also had employment gains for the month of July. The industries of Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, Government, Construction, and Trade Transportation and Utilities all saw employment decreases for the month.
Most of the other state in the Midwest also had their unemployment rates go up in July. States in the area with higher rates than Wisconsin include Illinois (8.9%), Indiana (8.2%), and Michigan (9.0%). Neighboring states with a lower rate were Minnesota (5.8%) and Iowa (5.3%).
In about a month the U.S. Department of Labor will release the August 2012 employment numbers for WI. Please check back when we'll review the data for the state it's cities, and business sectors. As always, remember that previously released employment statistics can be updated at a later date.
Wisconsin's July 2012 unemployment rate is still better than a year ago when the rate was up to 7.6%. Compared to July 2011, there are around 9,400 fewer unemployed individuals in Wisconsin. During that time, the total civilian labor force has also increased by around 9,800. Additionally, the number of people employed in WI has increased by just over 19,000. The combination of these statistics is the 0.3% decrease in the unemployment rate in Wisconsin for the year.
A different story unfolds when we review the unemployment rates for Wisconsin's metropolitan areas. In July, almost all of the cities reported on by the Department of Labor experienced improvements in their unemployment rates. The City of Madison went from 5.6% to 5.4%. The City of Appleton's rate fell for the month from 6.8% to 6.6%. The Eau Claire Area also fell to 6.9% in July from 7.0% in June. Green Bay was also lower, going from 7.0% to 6.8%, as was the City of Janesville, dropping 0.5% to 8.9%. The Milwaukee Metro Area fell to 8.2% from 8.4%. Racine's rate remained unchanged for the month of July at 8.2%.
Another method of reviewing employment statistics for the state is to look at the metrics by industry. For Wisconsin, Manufacturing, Information, and Other Services also had employment gains for the month of July. The industries of Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, Government, Construction, and Trade Transportation and Utilities all saw employment decreases for the month.
Most of the other state in the Midwest also had their unemployment rates go up in July. States in the area with higher rates than Wisconsin include Illinois (8.9%), Indiana (8.2%), and Michigan (9.0%). Neighboring states with a lower rate were Minnesota (5.8%) and Iowa (5.3%).
In about a month the U.S. Department of Labor will release the August 2012 employment numbers for WI. Please check back when we'll review the data for the state it's cities, and business sectors. As always, remember that previously released employment statistics can be updated at a later date.
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