DWD: November unemployment, job numbers announced

CONTACT: John Dipko, Communications Director, 608-266-6753

On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htm

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate drops to 7.6 percent, its lowest point since January 2009

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman announced today that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for November dropped to 7.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, from 7.8 percent in October. Without seasonal adjustment, the unemployment rate was 7.1 percent, unchanged from the revised October rate of 7.1 percent.

“In November, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped to its lowest point since January 2009, which is an encouraging sign for our state’s recovery from the deep national recession,” Secretary Gassman said. “Even so, we must continue to do everything we can to grow job opportunities.”

The state’s seasonally adjusted rate is 2.2 percent lower than the national rate of 9.8 percent. Through October 2010, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remains below that of other manufacturing-heavy Midwest states including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

Place of Work Data

With seasonal adjustment, the number of jobs in Wisconsin decreased by 5,200, including 4,000 fewer jobs in the private sector and 400 fewer jobs in the government sector. Manufacturing posted a net gain of 2,600, for a net gain of 15,200 manufacturing jobs since December 2009.

Figures for November are preliminary, with the final estimates announced next month.