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.
WI Unemployment 