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Wisconsin’s unemployment rate drops to 7.5 percent from 7.6 percent in November
MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Manny Perez announced today preliminary state unemployment and jobs data for the month of December 2010.
“While November to December is typically a time of job loss in Wisconsin, the numbers underscore the need for aggressive policies that help grow our state’s economy, help employers create jobs and help get Wisconsinites back to work,” Secretary Perez said. “Congratulations to Governor Walker for proactively showcasing Wisconsin at the national level and initiating legislative policies to improve the business environment in Wisconsin.”
Place of Work Data
The total number of jobs in Wisconsin decreased by 1,200 seasonally adjusted, including 1,900 fewer private-sector jobs. Without seasonal adjustment, the total number of jobs dropped by 20,200, including 16,500 fewer jobs in the private sector and 3,700 fewer in the government sector. Since December 2009, Wisconsin has added a net of 31,600 private sector jobs.
The numbers for December are preliminary; final numbers for all of 2010 will not be available until March, as the data must first undergo an annual benchmarking process.
Unemployment Rate
Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped by 0.1 percent to 7.5 percent from 7.6 percent in November (seasonally adjusted). Without seasonal adjustment, the rate fell to 7.0 percent from 7.1 percent.
The U.S. rate dropped to 9.4 percent in December from 9.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, and to 9.1 percent from 9.3 percent in November without seasonal adjustment. The unemployment rate encompasses Wisconsinites who are available for and are actively seeking employment.
Through November 2010, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remains below that of other manufacturing-heavy Midwest states including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
