Slight drop in unemployment rate

CHEYENNE — The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Tuesday that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 5.7 percent in July to 5.5 percent in August (not a statistically significant change).

Wyoming’s unemployment rate was significantly higher than its August 2015 level of 4.3 percent and higher than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 4.9 percent.

From July to August, unemployment rates fell in 21 counties and were unchanged in Laramie and Carbon counties. County unemployment rates often fall in August as employment increases in construction and other sectors. The largest unemployment rate decreases occurred in Campbell (down from 7.5 percent to 6.8 percent), Sweetwater (down from 6.3 percent to 5.7 percent), Uinta (down from 5.7 percent to 5.2 percent), Natrona (down from 7.3 percent to 6.8 percent), Fremont (down from 7.1 percent to 6.6 percent), and Converse (down from 6.5 percent to 6.0 percent) counties.

Washakie County had a slight drop from 4.6 percent in July to 4.5 percent in August, but up from 3.5 percent in August 2015.

From August 2015 to August 2016, unemployment rates increased in most areas of the state. The largest increases were seen in Campbell (up from 3.6 percent to 6.8 percent), Converse (up from 3.5 percent to 6.0 percent), Natrona (up from 4.8 percent to 6.8 percent), and Weston (up from 3.0 percent to 4.9 percent) counties.

In August 2016, seven counties had unemployment rates that were higher than the statewide not seasonally adjusted average of 4.9 percent, and 15 counties had lower unemployment rates. Teton County had the lowest unemployment rate (2.0 percent). The highest unemployment rates were reported in Campbell and Natrona counties (both 6.8 percent).