The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported this week that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell slightly from 3.8% in October to 3.7% in November. Wyoming’s unemployment rate was lower than its November 2018 level of 4.1%, but slightly higher than the current U.S. rate of 3.5%.
From October to November, seasonally adjusted employment of Wyoming residents increased, rising by an estimated 1,309 individuals (0.5%).
Over the past year, the largest decreases in unemployment occurred in Teton (down from 6.2% to 5.2%), Weston (down from 3.1% to 2.3%), Fremont (down from 4.8% to 4.1%), and Campbell (down from 3.8% to 3.1%) counties. Slight increases were seen in Goshen (up from 2.8% to 3.6%), Niobrara (up from 2.5% to 3.1%), and Sublette (up from 4.2% to 4.7%) counties.
Most county unemployment rates followed their normal seasonal pattern and increased from October to November. Unemployment often rises in November as colder weather brings seasonal job losses in leisure & hospitality, construction, and professional & business services. Unemployment rates fell slightly in Campbell county over the past month, down from 3.4% to 3.1%.
Teton County reported the highest unemployment rate in November at 5.2%.
Total nonfarm employment in Wyoming (not seasonally adjusted and measured by place of work) decreased from 285,000 in November 2018 to 283,900 in November 2019, a decline of 1,100 jobs (-0.4%).
