Wyoming's unemployment rate fell from 4.5% in November to 4.2% in December, according to a new report from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.

The unemployment rate in 20 of the state's 23 counties dropped in December. The only exceptions were Crook (up from 3.7% to 4.1%) Big Horn (from 4.5% to 4.7%) and Sublette (from 3.2% to 3.4%).

Laramie County's jobless rate in December was 4.5%, down from 4.6% in November and 4.7% in December of 2013. Natrona County had one of the lowest jobless rates in the state in December at 3.6%, down from 4.1% in December of 2013.

David Bullard of Workforce Services does caution that although low oil prices didn't appear to be hurting the state's jobless rate too much in the latest survey, it's possible the effect of those prices just hadn't yet been felt yet. That doesn't rule out an impact in future employment surveys, especially if the price of oil keeps dropping.

Nationally, Schlumberger, Apache Corp. and Baker Hughes have all announced layoffs in recent weeks in response to low oil prices.

But Bullard says most sectors of the state economy appeared to be doing well in December, with the construction industry appearing to be especially strong.

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