The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly from 3.6% in July to 3.7% in August. Wyoming’s unemployment rate remained lower than its year-ago level of 4.2%.
From July to August, most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and decreased. The largest decreases were seen in Campbell (down from 5.7% to 4.5%), Washakie (down from 4.3% to 3.5%), and Albany (down from 4.0% to 3.2%) counties.
From August 2018 to August 2019, unemployment rates fell in 15 counties, rose in seven counties, and remained unchanged in Big Horn County. The largest decreases occurred in Converse (down from 3.5% to 2.8%), Fremont (down from 4.7% to 4.1%), Sweetwater (down from 4.0% to 3.5%), and Natrona (down from 4.3% to 3.8%) counties. Unemployment rates increased in Campbell (up from 4.0% to 4.5%), Hot Springs (up from 3.1% to 3.5%), Goshen (up from 3.4% to 3.7%), and Platte (up from 3.3% to 3.6%) counties.
Teton County had the lowest unemployment rate in August at 2.0%. It was followed by Niobrara County at 2.6%, and Weston County, Converse County, and Carbon County, each at 2.8%. The highest unemployment rates were found in Campbell County at 4.5% and Fremont County at 4.1%.
Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) increased from 292,500 in August 2018 to 296,700 in August 2019, a gain of 4,200 jobs (1.4%).
Research & Planning has scheduled the September unemployment news release for October 22, 2019.