Wyoming sees no change in jobless rate in September

CASPER (AP) — Wyoming’s unemployment rate remained at 4 percent in September.

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reports that the jobless rate was unchanged from August and was significantly lower than a year ago when it was 5.1 in September 2016.

The highest unemployment rates in September were found in Natrona County at 4.5 percent, Fremont County at 4.4 percent and Campbell Count at 4.3 percent.

Teton County had the lowest jobless rate in the state at 1.9 percent, followed by Niobrara at 2.3 percent, Albany and Goshen both at 2.5 percent.

Washakie County’s jobless rate rose slightly from August to September from 3.2 percent to 3.4 percent, but it was still lower than 3.7 percent in September 2016.

Hot Springs County also had a slight increase from 3.1 percent in August to 3.2 percent in September. This year’s figures, however were significantly lower than the 3.7 percent in September 2016.

From August to September, most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and increased slightly. It is not unusual for unemployment rates to rise in September as seasonal job losses are seen in leisure and hospitality, retail trade, and professional & business services. The largest unemployment rate increases occurred in Sublette (up from 3.2 percent to 3.6 percent), Johnson (up from 3.0 percent to 3.3 percent), Teton (up from 1.6 percent to 1.9 percent), Lincoln (up from 2.8 percent to 3.0 percent), and Park (up from 3.0 percent to 3.2 percent) counties.