The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9% in February 2013 and has remained at that level for three months in a row. David Bullard, senior economist with the  Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services said Wyoming’s unemployment rate is lower than its year-ago level of 5.6% and significantly lower than the current U.S. unemployment rate of 7.7%. Bullard said seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents grew marginally in February, rising by 578 individuals (0.2%).

From January to February, most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and fell slightly. The largest decreases in unemployment occurred in Platte (down from 6.7% to 5.8%), Teton (down from 6.5% to 5.6%), and Niobrara (down from 4.6% to 4.0%) counties. Unemployment was unchanged in Sheridan County (7.0%) and increased slightly in Johnson County (up from 7.2% to 7.3%).

The highest unemployment rate in February was found in Lincoln County (7.9%). It was followed by Johnson (7.3%), Fremont (7.3%), and Sheridan (7.0%) counties. Niobrara County had the lowest unemployment rate (4.0%), followed by Sublette (4.1%) and Converse (4.2%) counties. Nearly all unemployment rates fell from February 2012 to February 2013. The largest decreases were seen in Lincoln (down from 9.7% to 7.9%), Teton (down from 7.0% to 5.6%), and Carbon (down from 6.9% to 5.6%) counties. Unemployment rates edged upward in Sublette (up from 3.6% to 4.1%) and Hot Springs (up from 5.4% to 5.8%) counties.

Bullard said total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (measured by place of work) fell slightly from 281,200 jobs in February 2012 to 280,400 jobs in February 2013, a decrease of 800 jobs (-0.3%).

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