Contact: Rose Lynch, (608) 266-6753
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2006/unemployment/july06_local_lmi.pdf
METRO AREAS
Madison – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman today announced a monthly decrease in July unemployment rates for eight of Wisconsin’s metropolitan areas. Nine had rates lower than the statewide rate of 4.9 percent. All the July rates are non-seasonally adjusted numbers.
“Our economy continues to move forward,” Secretary Gassman said. “Wisconsin’s economy today is growing, adding jobs and creating more opportunities, compared to its performance several years ago. While we have more work to do, we are once again encouraged by the numbers and determined to create more opportunities for people to secure good, family supporting jobs.”
The monthly unemployment rate decrease averaged two-tenths of a percent. The rates for the 12 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) ranged from 3.4 percent in the Madison to 6.7 percent in Janesville. Annually, Janesville dropped two full percentage points below the July 2005 rate.
The Madison metro area posted a net, annual gain of 11,000 jobs representing the largest increase in jobs among the state’s metro areas.
Most metro areas experienced a drop in non-farm employment, due primarily to teachers and other school employees who began their summer recess. The Madison area increased by 1,600 jobs, despite the seasonal trend and a reduction of 2,800 government jobs in July. Racine saw a small increase of 100 jobs overall, while other areas had lower employment totals from June to July.
County Rates
Fifty-eight of the state’s 72 counties had lower unemployment rates in July, with most ranging from one-tenth of a percentage point to five-tenths of a percentage point. Rusk County experienced the biggest drop, falling by 1.2 percentage points. Rates in three counties, Langlade, Racine and Trempealeau, remained unchanged. Eleven counties had higher rates in July compared to June. Dane County had the lowest rate, 3.3 percent, followed by Iowa County at 3.6 percent.
