Job fair (Photo credit: EURES, the European Employment Service)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
WISCONSIN LOCAL EMPLOYMENT & UNEMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES RELEASED
MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) preliminary estimates of unemployment and employment statistics in July for metro areas, major
cities and counties in the state of Wisconsin. In brief, the estimates showed:
Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Preliminary unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) either declined
or remained unchanged in 10 of the 12 metro areas year over year. Eau Claire and Racine had slight
increases. Rates declined in all metro areas except Racine, which had no change, between June and July.
The July 2012 rates ranged from 5.4 percent in metro Madison to 9.2 percent in metro Racine.
Municipalities: Of 32 municipalities with at least 25,000 residents, 24 had either declines or no change in
unemployment rates year over year. From June to July, all but two municipalities had either declines or no
change in rates. Rates ranged from 4.0 percent in Caledonia to 12.7 percent in Racine.
Counties: Of 72 counties, 56 had either rate declines or no change year over year. Between June and July,
67 had either declines or no change in their rates. Rates ranged from 5.3 percent in Dane to 20.2 percent in
Menominee.
The BLS preliminary unemployment estimates for cities, counties and metro areas are based on Unemployment
Insurance claims and a monthly survey of 1,450 Wisconsin households (0.06 percent), called the Local Area
Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Additional place of work data, available at the state metro levels only, is based
on a monthly survey of approximately 5,500 Wisconsin employers (3.5 percent), called the Current Employment
Statistics (CES). The CES data series is volatile and subject to significant revisions. Revised totals for all months
in 2012 and the second half of 2011 will undergo further refinement during an annual benchmarking process in early 2013.
Check out cites and counties and more at link below.
August 23, 2012
Wisconsin