Wyoming's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 5.6 percent in December to 5.5 percent in January, according to the  Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Wyoming’s jobless rate has decreased for five consecutive months and it remained much lower than the U.S. rate of 8.3 percent.  Seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents increased by an estimated 862 individuals (0.3%) from December to January.

When compared to a year earlier, jobless rates decreased in 22 of the state’s 23 counties. Goshen County was the exception. Its unemployment rate edged up from 6.1 percent in  January 2011 to 6.2 percent in January 2012. Large decreases in unemployment were seen in Big Horn (down from 9.0 percent to 7.0 percent), Natrona (down from 7.4 percent to 5.8percent ), and Washakie (down from 8.0 percent to 6.6 percent.

Total nonfarm employment (measured by place of work) rose from 273,900 in January 2011 to 277,200 in January 2012, an increase of 3,300 jobs.

 

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