For Immediate Release:
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Rose Lynch (608) 266-6753
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Madison – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced that 68 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties posted lower unemployment rates for January 2004 as compared to January 2003, but many Wisconsin counties are continuing to experience high unemployment rates. Fifty counties are at rates of 6% or greater, with 37 of those counties at rates of at least 7%.
“The January report shows largely normal seasonal occurrences, with encouraging overall lower unemployment over 2003, but many counties continue with unemployment rates that are too high. While the economy is improving, we are not nearly where we would like to be. In particular, the areas of Racine, Manitowoc, Milwaukee and Beloit are continuing to see higher rates than the rest of the state,” Secretary Gassman said. “We have much work to do.”
Florence County showed the largest annual unemployment rate decrease down from 11.6 percent in January 2003 to 7.8 percent in January 2004. Dane County posted the lowest January unemployment rate at 3.0 percent and Ozaukee County the second lowest at 4.4 percent. Marquette County had the highest January unemployment rate at 11.4 percent. Rusk County had the second highest at 11.2 percent.
As expected, monthly changes in the counties’ labor force showed higher unemployment rates in every county in January compared to December. The monthly increase is an anticipated seasonal change. Florence County showed the smallest monthly rate increase of 0.4 percentage points and Rusk County registered the largest monthly increase of 3.6 percent points to 11.2 percent. Twenty-two counties posted preliminary unemployment rates lower than the statewide, not seasonally adjusted rate of 6.0 percent.
Preliminary nonfarm wage and salary industry employment figures show a net decrease of jobs throughout the state’s metropolitan areas, which is a seasonal occurrence. Seven of the state’s 11 metropolitan areas showed an increase in overall industry employment. The state’s employers added 30,600 jobs in the twelve-month period that ended January 2004 for an increase of 1.1 percent.
