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Rose Lynch (608) 266-6753
The lowest reported for April in three years
Madison – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced that Wisconsin’s unadjusted unemployment rate is reported to be 5.1 percent for April 2004, the lowest April rate since April 2001.
“The reported unemployment rate for April, the lowest reported for that month in three years, coupled with healthy job gains, including some manufacturing gains, is good news for Wisconsin workers,” Gassman said. “While moving in the right direction, we still have room for improvement across parts of the state and have continued concerns for those individuals who remain out of work.”
The April 2004 figure compares to 6.2 percent in April 2003 and 6.2 percent for March 2004. The number of people employed is estimated at 2,925,248, which is 61,100 above last year’s April figure, and 24,300 above the March figure. The number of people estimated to be unemployed dropped to 157,696, the lowest April figure since 2001. That’s a decrease of 31,856 from last year’s April figure and a decrease of 33,700 from the March 2004 figure.
Wisconsin’s nonfarm economy employment was estimated at 2,799,100, up 38,100 from one year ago and up 39,600 from the March figure. Employment gains over the year were reported for every major industry except manufacturing and government. Gains were especially strong in trade, professional and business services, educational services and health care, leisure and hospitality, and construction. The 121,600 construction jobs, was the highest April total ever in Wisconsin. Record April totals were also recorded in private educational services and health care and in leisure and hospitality.
Although there have been national news stories predicting a slow summer job market, especially for young people, Wisconsin appears to be well positioned for a strong summer season.
Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was estimated at 4.6 percent. The March adjusted figure for Wisconsin was 5.1 percent. For April 2003 it was estimated at 5.7 percent. The national figure was 5.6 percent for April. Wisconsin’s April seasonally adjusted rate was the lowest monthly rate for the state since September 2001.
April employment and unemployment figures for individual counties will be available May 26. This release also is available at www.dwd.state.wi.us/lmi.
