WI July Unemployment Rate At 7.3%

The detailed July employment numbers have been released for the State of Wisconsin. In July the unemployment rate rose 0.3% to the highest rate for the year so far. This increase is the fourth straight for WI and is also the highest rate since back to October 2011. It’s also the largest single monthly rate increase since a 0.4% increase in April 2009. The real impact of these statistics is that there are approximately 8,000 more unemployed people in Wisconsin in July. Also, there are roughly 15,000 fewer workers employed in Wisconsin. Nonetheless, Wisconsin’s July rate is still lower than the 8.3% national average.

Regardless of the July increase, the July 2012 rate is still improved over the 7.6% unemployment rate in July 2011. Compared to one year ago, there are approximately 9,400 fewer unemployed individuals in Wisconsin. Another story unfolds when we review the unemployment rates for Wisconsin’s cities. In July, almost all of the metropolitan areas 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 flat for the month of July at 8.2%.

We can also review the Wisconsin employment numbers by industry. On the positive side for July were Information, Manufacturing, and Other Services. On the down-side in July were the industries of Leisure & Hospitality, Education & Health Services, Government, Construction, and Trade Transportation and Utilities.

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%).

The Department of Labor will publish the August 2012 employment numbers later this Summer. When they do we’ll once again review the data for the State of WI, it’s cities, and industries. Note that previously released employment numbers can be updated at a later date.

 

Wisconsin June 2012 Unemployment Rate Rises To 7.0%

The June 2012 state-level employment numbers have been published by the Department of Labor. The State of Wisconsin’s Unemployment Rate increased in June to a 2012-high of 7.0%. This was the second straight monthly increase for Wisconsin and the rate now exceeds the January 2012 unemployment rate of 6.9%. The real impact of these numbers is that in June there were around 8,000 fewer individuals employed in the state than in May. The numbers also mean an approximate 6,800 increase in the number of unemployed in Wisconsin in addition to a decrease of 1,000 in the overall civilian labor force.

Although the trend has been upward, when compared with a year ago the current unemployment rate is still better than the June 2011 rate of 7.6%. There are over 18,000 fewer unemployed workers and over 32,000 more individuals employed in WI than one year before, resulting in the big improvement in the unemployment rate over that period. Additionally, Wisconsin’s June 2012 unemployment is still much better than the June national average of 8.2%.

When comparing Wisconsin industries month-over-month, we see that June was a difficult month of most. Just a few business sectors saw improvements in their employment numbers. These included Education & Health Service and Information. Industries that had a decrease for the month were Manufacturing, Financial Activities, Construction, Leisure & Hospitality, Other Services, and Government.

We can get a more detailed look at Wisconsin by reviewing the numbers reported for the major metro areas. The trend is much like the business sector numbers, as many metropolitan areas watched their rate go up in June. On the increase in June were Wausau (7.7%), Sheboygan (7.2%), and La Crosse (5.9%). The City of Appleton’s unemployment rate rose to 6.8% from 6.1% in May. Unfortunately, many of the increases were even larger, with several cities gaining a full percentage point during the month. These included Eau Claire (7.1), Janesville (9.4%) and Racine (9.2%). Madison’s June rate went up to 5.5%, but it remained the low rate in the state for metropolitan areas for the month. Finally, not immune the major city area of Milwaukee also rose to a 2012-high of 8.3%.

Next let’s have a look at other neighboring states in the Midwest for June 2012. The States of Iowa (5.1%) and Minnesota (5.6%) continue to have significantly lower unemployment rates than Wisconsin. However, the States of Michigan (8.6%) and Illinois (8.7%) are still significantly higher than WI in June 2012. Both of these trends have held true for much of 2012.

Sometime later this Summer the Department of Labor will publish the Wisconsin employment numbers and statistics for July. When they do, we’ll once again review the state and compare it’s cities and industries. Please be aware that previously released employment statistics may be adjusted at a later date.

 

Wisconsin’s May 2012 Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.8%

Wisconsin’s May 2012 Unemployment Rate rose to 6.8% compared to April 2012.  The slight rise for the month broke the trend from the beginning of the 2012 of no monthly increases, and was the only monthly rise in the past (full) year.  Though the number of unemployed workers went up by just over 3,0000 people for the month, the number of employed worked also increased for May by approximately 3000 workers.  The reason both these numbers were able to rise along with unemployment rate was due to a additional increase the Wisconsin’s civilian workforce numbers for May (by over 6,000).

Compared to 1 year ago (May 2011) the current rate of 6.8% is significantly better that the year-ago rate of 7.6%.  Also, we find that there are almost 24,000 less unemployed people than in May 2011.  We also find that there are over 35,000 more employed individuals in the state than a year ago – along with a moderate increase of over 11,000 individuals in the overall labor force.  Compared to the U.S. average for May 2012 of 8.2% Wisconsin 6.8% is significantly lower.  Wisconsin does match the national trend, however, of a slight increase in the rate for May 2012 (both increased 0.1% for the month).

Few metropolitan areas in WI also positive employment results for the month.  the City of Racine WI dropped to 8.3% for the month (from 8.4% in April).  The City of Wausau also dropped (also slightly) 0.1% to 7.1%.  Most cities, however, saw the same small increase for May that the Wisconsin as a whole experienced.  The cities of Appleton and Eau Claire matched the state by rising 0.1%  from 6.0% to 6.1%.  Janesville’s rate rose just 0.1% to 8.4% for May 2012.  The largest city in the state, Milwaukee, rose 0.1% to 7.4%.  Fond du Lac rose from 6.1% to 6.5% and Green Bay went from 6.2% to 6.4%.  Additionally, Lacrosse rose 0.2% to 5.2% as did Madison rising to 4.9% (still a overall low unemployment rate for cities in Wisconsin).

Wisconsin industries that experienced employment gains for May include Manufacturing, Financial Activities, Trade Transportation & Utilities, Education & Health Services, and Government.  Industries that saw an adverse impact include Construction, Professional & Business Services, and leisure and Hospitality.

Compared to it’s neighbors Wisconsin’s 6.8% rate is about average.  The State of Minnesota has a better rate for May at 5.6% and Iowa’s rate is a region-low as just 5.1%.  However, Michigan’s May rate of 8.5% and Illinois at 8.6% are much higher than Wisconsin’s May rate.

In a just about a month the US Department of Labor will release the June 2012 unemployment numbers.  When that happens we’ll take another look at Wisconsin’s employment numbers, cities, and industries.  Be aware that unemployment numbers/rates to change and can be adjusted at a later date.

 

Unemployment Numbers for Wisconsin for April 2012

The April Unemployment rates have been released for the nation.  The unemployment rate for Wisconsin for April of 2012 is a seasonally adjusted rate of 6.7%.  The number is a slight decrease from the March 2011 rate of 6.8% and also continues a slow downward trend from the beginning of 2012.  A rate of 6.7% is the lowest the state of Wisconsin has had since December of 2008.  Compared to April of last year, the rate as dropped nearly a full percentage point from 7.5%.  Compared to a year ago there are approx. 27,000 more people employed in WI.

When comparing Wisconsin to the US as a whole, it’s rate is significantly better than the national average of 8.1%.  Like the Wisconsin numbers, the US unemployment rate has also seen a slow, yet steady, improvement since the beginning of the year (8.8% in January and 8.1% in April).

Certain areas of the state appear to be doing better than others.  We see some of the highest rates in the cities of Milwaukee, Racine, and Wausau.  Areas with better than average unemployment rates include LaCrosse, Madison, Eau Claire, and Green Bay. Racine WI has the worst overall ranking and rate at 8.4% (not seasonally adjusted), and Madison has the best at 4.7%.  Many cities, however, are seeing the same overall 2012 improvement in unemployment rates that are being experienced by Wisconsin as a whole.

When compared to other neighboring states Wisconsin’s rate of 6.7% is still one of the best.  The State of Illinois has an April 2012 rate of 8.7%, Michigan’s rate is 8.3%, Indiana is at 7.9%, and Ohio’s unemployment rate is 7.4%  Only Minnesota has a better rate for April 2012 (5.6%).

Some of the industries seeing the largest gains for the month include Manufacturing and Educational and Health Services.  Industries that lost some jobs include Construction, Leisure and Hospitality, and Financial Activities.

We’ll be able to see of the downward unemployment trends continue for Wisconsin when the May 2012 unemployment numbers are released next month.  Also be sure to note that many times previously released numbers can be adjusted (up or down) so please be aware that the number and information detailed in the article are subject to change.

If you would like to see the 20 best WI unemployment resources, please visit the WI Unemployment HQ.