Contact:
Rose Lynch, (608) 266-6753
METRO AREAS
Madison – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced all twelve Wisconsin metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) had lower unemployment rates in September than in August. Four had lower rates in September 2005 than in September 2004, while seven were unchanged from the previous year’s rates.
The Madison MSA had the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.9 percent, followed by the La Crosse MSA at 3.4 percent. The Milwaukee/Waukesha MSA, the state’s largest MSA, had an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent, an improvement over the August 2005 rate of 4.8 percent and the September 2004 rate of 4.7 percent. Racine’s unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, down from 5.7 percent in August, but up slightly from the 5.1 percent estimated for September 2004.
COUNTY RATES
Fifty-nine of Wisconsin’s seventy-two counties experienced lower unemployment rates in September than they experienced in August, while seven had higher rates and six were unchanged.
“Wisconsin’s job picture continued to improve last month, with employers in many parts of the state facing a scarcity of workers as students left their summer jobs and returned to school. At the same time, we continue to keep an eye on areas of the state that have more workers than jobs available.” Secretary Gassman said.
Forty-eight counties had unemployment rates of 4.0 percent or lower in September. The state’s lowest unemployment rates were in Dane County at 2.8 percent, Trempeauleau County at 3.0 percent, Buffalo County at 3.1 percent, and Dunn County at 3.2 percent. Four counties had unemployment rates of 3.3 percent, and eight had unemployment rates of 3.4 percent. There were only seven counties in the state with unemployment rates of 5.0 percent or higher. Menominee County had the highest September unemployment rate at 8.9 percent, followed by Florence at 5.9 percent, and Iron County at 5.7 percent.
Thirty-four counties had lower unemployment rates in September 2005 than they had in September 2004, while twenty-one had higher rates and seventeen were unchanged.
Looking at geographic areas of the state, there were several areas with very low unemployment rates overall. Of particular note were the south central and southwestern parts of the state which have declining unemployment rates. Southeastern Wisconsin continues to see the highest rates in the state.
