Unemployment rates rise in November

CHEYENNE — The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported late last week that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly from 4.2 percent in October to 4.3 percent in November (not a statistically significant change). Wyoming’s unemployment rate was significantly lower than its November 2016 level of 4.9 percent, but slightly higher than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.

The state’s labor force decreased significantly from a year earlier, falling by an estimated 8,196 people (or 2.7 percent). A decreasing labor force suggests that individuals may have moved to other states or given up their job search.

COUNTY RATES

Most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and increased slightly from October to November. Unemployment rates usually rise in November as job losses are seen in construction, leisure & hospitality, and professional & business services. Teton County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.1 percent to 6.1 percent, Park County’s rate rose from 3.8 percent to 4.7 percent, and Lincoln County’s rate rose from 3.2 percent to 3.9 percent.

Washakie County rose from 3.4 percent in October to 3.9 percent in November. Hot Springs County rose only slightly from 3.5 to 3.7 percent. Big Horn County also rose by just .2 percentage points from 3.6 to 3.8.

Teton County’s unemployment rate of 6.1 percent was the highest in the state. The next highest rates were reported in Fremont (5.1 percent), Natrona (5.1 percent), and Park (4.7 percent) counties. The lowest unemployment rates were found in Niobrara (2.3 percent), Goshen (2.7 percent), and Albany (2.8 percent) counties.

2016 RATES

Compared to a year earlier, unemployment rates fell in 15 counties and rose in eight counties.

Unemployment rates increased in Washakie (up from 3.7 percent to 3.9 percent), Teton (up from 5.7 percent to 6.1 percent), Carbon (up from 3.8 percent to 4.0 percent) and Park (up from 4.5 percent to 4.7 percent) counties.

The largest decreases were seen in Campbell (down from 6.0 percent to 4.3 percent), Converse (down from 5.3 percent to 4.0 percent), Sublette (down from 5.2 percent to 4.0 percent), Natrona (down from 6.2 percent to 5.1 percent), and Sweetwater (down from 5.2 percent to 4.2 percent) counties. Big Horn County dropped from 4.2 percent in November 2016 to 3.8 percent this year. Hot Springs County also dropped from 4.2 percent last year to 3.7 percent this year.

Total nonfarm employment (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) fell from 274,100 in November 2016 to 273,100 in November 2017, a decrease of 1,000 jobs (or -0.4 percent; not a statistically significant change).

Washakie County’s labor force dropped from 4,342 last year to 4,197 this year. Hot Springs County labor force dropped from 2,466 last year to 2,297 this November. Big Horn County dropped from 5,588 to 5,509. Park County dropped from 15,439 to 15,042 this year.