Full version of release: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2009/unemployment/0909_state_lmi.pdf
CONTACT: Dick Jones, Agency Liaison, 608-267-4780
Unadjusted Data
MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman announced today that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for September was 7.7 percent, down 0.7 percentage points from 8.4 percent in August, and down 1.1 percentage points from 8.8 percent in July.
The September rate was 3.5 percentage points higher than the rate of 4.2 percent for Wisconsin in September of 2008. The national rate for September was 9.5 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from 9.6 percent in August. The national rate for September is 3.5 percentage points higher than the 6.0 percent recorded in September 2008.
“For four months, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate has steadily declined and now equals the lowest rate of the year,” Secretary Gassman said. “We see this as an encouraging sign in what remains a difficult time for many. We will persevere in our efforts to connect job seekers and employers, and move the economy forward.”
From August to September, total Wisconsin non-farm jobs decreased by an estimated 20,700 to 2,751,300. Goods Producers and Service Producers both experienced a net loss of jobs. A 10,100 job loss among Goods Producers was led by Construction with a 6,100 decrease and Manufacturing with a 3,900 decrease. A10,600 net job loss among Service Producers was led by a 23,600 decrease in the Leisure and Hospitality sector. With the start of school in September, Government had a gain of 19,200 jobs, including 13,700 at the local level and 5,700 at the state level.
Over the year, September 2009 showed a decline of 126,700 Wisconsin non-farm jobs. Goods Producers were down 63,700, mostly in Manufacturing, which was down 48,600. Service sector jobs declined 63,000 over the year, led by Professional & Business Services, which lost 23,300 jobs.
The September survey of Wisconsin households showed 12,600 fewer employed than in August, and 121,300 fewer employed than one year ago. Wisconsin’s civilian labor force was down 38,600 to 3,062,100 in September and 15,800 from September 2008.
Adjusted Data
The seasonally adjusted Wisconsin unemployment rate for September 2009 was 8.3 percent. This was down 0.5 percentage points from 8.8 percent in August. The September 2008 rate was 4.7 percent. The national seasonally adjusted September 2009 rate was 9.8 percent. This compares to 9.7 percent in August 2009, and 6.2 percent in September 2008.
Total state employment was up 5,600 over the month and down 124,400 over the year.
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