The Wisconsin unemployment rate rose 0.3% in July to a 2012-high of 7.3%. This is the 4th straight month with an increase and is the highest rate in WI since October 2011. It's also the largest monthly increase for the state since a 0.4% increase in April 2009. For the month there are about 8,000 more unemployed people than June 2012. Additionally, there are roughly 15,000 fewer individuals employed in Wisconsin for the month. On a positive note, Wisconsin's July unemployment rate is still a full percentage point better than the national average of 8.3%.
Even with the big rise in July, the current rate is still better than the July 2011 rate of 7.6%. Year-over- year, there are approximately 9,400 fewer unemployed individuals in Wisconsin. Additionally, during the past year the total labor force has gone up by about 9,800 and the number of people employed in the state has gone up by 19,000. Taken together these statistics result in a 0.3% decrease in the unemployment rate in Wisconsin.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the story is different when we look at the individual unemployment rates for many of Wisconsin's metropolitan areas. Almost all of the metropolitan areas reported on by the DOL showed improvements in their unemployment rates in July. 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 improved, falling from 7.0% to 6.8%, as was the City of Janesville, dropping 0.5% to 8.9%. The City of Madison went from 5.6% to 5.4% (and remained a state-low rate). The major city of Milwaukee fell to 8.2% from 8.4% in June. Racine's rate remained static for July at 8.2%.
Another way of reviewing employment statistics for the state is to look at the metrics by business sector. For Wisconsin, Manufacturing, Information, and Other Services also had employment gains for the month of July. The industries of Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, Government, Construction, and Trade Transportation and Utilities all saw employment decreases for the month.
Most of the other state in the Midwest also had their unemployment rates go up in July. States in the region 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 release 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 statistics can be adjusted at a later date.
Even with the big rise in July, the current rate is still better than the July 2011 rate of 7.6%. Year-over- year, there are approximately 9,400 fewer unemployed individuals in Wisconsin. Additionally, during the past year the total labor force has gone up by about 9,800 and the number of people employed in the state has gone up by 19,000. Taken together these statistics result in a 0.3% decrease in the unemployment rate in Wisconsin.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the story is different when we look at the individual unemployment rates for many of Wisconsin's metropolitan areas. Almost all of the metropolitan areas reported on by the DOL showed improvements in their unemployment rates in July. 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 improved, falling from 7.0% to 6.8%, as was the City of Janesville, dropping 0.5% to 8.9%. The City of Madison went from 5.6% to 5.4% (and remained a state-low rate). The major city of Milwaukee fell to 8.2% from 8.4% in June. Racine's rate remained static for July at 8.2%.
Another way of reviewing employment statistics for the state is to look at the metrics by business sector. For Wisconsin, Manufacturing, Information, and Other Services also had employment gains for the month of July. The industries of Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, Government, Construction, and Trade Transportation and Utilities all saw employment decreases for the month.
Most of the other state in the Midwest also had their unemployment rates go up in July. States in the region 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 release 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 statistics can be adjusted at a later date.
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If you're unemployed in the State of Wisconsin and need information, please check out the WI Unemployment Headquarters.
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